directed the attack on Verdun. To halt your advance the enemy threw in his last division
– it was beaten.
Not only did you gain every objective against which you were launched, not only
did you exploit every success to the limit allowed, but every foot of ground you took you
held, under fire from front, flank and rear, shelled with high explosives and gas, machine
gunned and bombed by aircraft, whether at Les Huit Chemins, Bois de Rappes, Hill 210,
or the Aincreville Road, you held and improved your positions.
The Division as you know was 75 days under fire without relief (other than
change of sector) of that time you held the front line for 19 days and at least half of the
divisional sector for 52 days more. This despite the fact that you led the attack in one
major offensive, and executed eight of the severe minor operations undertaken by the
division, not to mention the pursuit through Bois de Halles to the Meuse and the attack of
Stenay.
Courage and fighting ability are not, however, the only qualities demanded of the
soldier. Equally admirable is that disciplined and courteous behavior toward the civilian
population, particularly women and children whether friend or foe, which retains the
friendship of allies, and breaks down the hatred of the foe. Amongst the people of France
you were well beloved and often the people of the towns were heard to say, “these men
will fight well, the Americans are indeed a great nation”,while the population of the
conquered territory have nothing but praise for the men who have conquered them.
What the New Year will bring we know not. Whether we shall shortly return to
take up the battle of industry or whether we shall again be called upon to defeat the forces
of tyranny or anarchy we cannot tell. What ever the event I await it with my Brigade in
perfect confidence.
(Signed) J. P. O’Neil,
Brigadier General.
Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS 90TH DIVISION
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
GERMANY
30 April 1919.
General Orders
No. 16.
1. It is with great pleasure that the Division Commander publishes the following
letter from the Commander-in-Chief, American expeditionary forces.
2. A copy of this order will be furnished every officer in enlisted men of the 90th
Division.
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
Office of the Commander-in-Chief
France, April 1919.
Major General Charles H. Martin,
Commanding 90th Division
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