Correspondence: WWI Letter Signed by John J. Pershing, France; March 26, 191

Pershing, John J

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AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FQ~CES OFFICE OF THE COMMANDER·IN·CHIEI"" / Fran~e , March 26, 1919 . Major General Edward F. McGlachlin , Jr . , Commanding 1st Division , American E F . My dear General McGlachlin : To the officers and men of the 1st Division, I wish to express my compliments upon their excellent appearance at the in-spection and review on March 14th at Monta-bauer . The high morale of all ranks and the condition of the artillery and transporta-tion were what one might expect to find in a command with such a splendid fighting record . The - 1st Dtvision has the distinc-tion of having been the first combatant unit to arrive in France and the first to enter Ute fighting line . From that time until the present its work has been marked by a high state of excellence and ef_ficiency. After serving in the Sommerviller and Ansauville Sectors the division entered the line near Montdidier , and on May 28th took Cantigny . This attack may be considered as the beginning of American offensive op-erations , and its success had much to do with the creation of the splendid spirit thereafter displayed by American troops. In the Aisne - Marne offensive , the division par -ticipated in some of the most desperate fight i ng of the entire war , and helped to insure the success of the Allied attack . During the early part of August the d i vi-sion moved to the Sa i zerais sector , and shortly after took part i n t he St . Mi hiel operation, making a deep advance through the Rupt de Madt across the Vigneulles-St. Benoid road to Hatton-Chattel . In the Meuse-Argonne battle the division was twice thrown into the line , - on October 1st , at which time it pushed forward in spite of heavy resistance , and on November 5th, when, after a march of 20 kilo-meters to reach the jumping-off line , it attacked the enemy and marched on Sedan. Since the signing of the armistice the 1st Division , as a part of the Army of Occupa-tion , has had the honor of safeguarding the · results of its victories , and for its conduct in this work I have only praise and commenda-tion . In view of the above record , each man in the division should feel an especial pride in its accomplishments , and I want all ranks to know of my appreciation of the achievements which stand to their credit, and of the admir -ation in which they are.held by their fellows throughout the American Expeditionary Forces. Sincerly yours. ~812~ 

Correspondence: WWI Letter Signed by John J. Pershing, France; March 26, 1919

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Correspondence: WWI Letter Signed by John J. Pershing, France; March 26, 1919

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