“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 the
horse transportation and artillery are sure signs of the high morale that permeates all ranks. This
is only what one could expect of a 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-Hays sector and
there took part in the St. Mihiel offensive, where 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 own of Vilcey-sur-Trey,
the Bois-de-Pretre and the Foret-de-Venchers, and advancing to a depth of 6½ 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 1 it continued its splendid record, piercing the Freya Stellung, crossing the Meuse and
taking fourteen villages in its very rapid advance. The Carriere Farm, 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, Villes-de-
Tailly, Bois-de-Mont, Bois-de-Sassey and the town of Montigny-devant-Sassey were taken, a
very deep and rapid advance being made. On the 4th 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 the Third Army the division participated in the march into Germany and the
subsequent occupation of enemy territory. I am pleased to mention 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 is welfare.
“Sincerely yours,
“JOHN J. PERSHING.”
(A letter to Major General Martin, commanding the 90th Division. April 26, 1919.)
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