American E. F.
My dear General Martin:
It gives me much pleasure to congratulate you and through you the officers and
men of your division on the splendid appearance that it made at its inspection and review
on April 24 at Wengerohr. The smart appearance of personnel and the good condition in
which I found all transportation and artillery are sure signs of high morale that permeates
all tasks. This is only what one could expect of the division which has such a fine
fighting record.
Arriving in France towards the end of June, 1918, it underwent, until the end of
August, the usual course of training behind the line. It was then placed in the Villers-en-
Haye Sector and there took part in the St. Mihiel offensive were it attacked the strong
positions on the Hindenburg line immediately to the west of the Moselle River. In these
operations it was entirely successful, mopping up the Bois-des-Rappes, occupying the
town of Vilcey-sur-Trey, the Bois-des-Presle, and the Foret-de-Venchere, and advancing
to a depth of 6 ½ kilometers. On the night of October 21 the division entered the Meuse-
Argonne offensive, taking the town of Bantheville and the high ground north and
northwest of that town. In the tremendous attack of November 1st it continued its
splendid record, piercing the Freya Stellung, crossing the Meuse and taking 14 villages in
its very rapid advance. The Carriere Bois, the Bois-de-Raux, Hill 243 (The capture of
which was vital to the advance of the division on the left) and Hill 321 were the scenes of
desperate fighting on the opening day of the attack. On November 2,Villers-devant-Dun
was taken and the following day the Bois-de-Montigny, Bois-de-Tailly, Bois-de-Mont,
Bois-de-Sassay and the town of Montigny-devant-Sassey were taken, a very deep and
rapid advance being made. On the fourth Halles was occupied. By November 10 the
Infantry had crossed the Meuse and the town of Mouzay was taken. The division was
pressing the enemy hard at the time of the signing of the Armistice.
As part of a third Army the division participated in the march into Germany and
the subsequent occupation of enemy territory. I am pleased to mention to the excellent
conduct of the men under these difficult circumstances as well as for their services in
battle. They are to the credit of the American people. I wish to express to each man my
own appreciation of the splendid work that has been done and the assurance of my
continued interest in his welfare.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) JOHN J. PERSHING”.
By command of Major General Martin:
JOHN J. KINGMAN,
Chief of Staff.
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