the marines were again called into action in the vicinity of
Soissons, near Tigny and Vierzy. In the face of a murderous fire from
concentrated machine guns, which contested every foot of their advance,
the United States marines moved forward until the severity of their
casualties necessitated that they dig in and hold the positions they
had gained. Here, again, their valor called forth official praise.

Then came the battle for the St. Mihiel salient. On the night of Sept.
11 the 2d Division took over a line running from Remenauville to Limey,
and on the night of Sept. 14 and the morning of Sept. 15 attacked, with
two days' objectives ahead of them. Overcoming the enemy resistance,
they romped through to the Rupt de Mad, a small river, crossed it on
stone bridges, occupied Thiacourt, the first day's objective, scaled
the heights just beyond it, pushed on to a line running from the
Zammes-Joulney Ridges to the Binvaux Forest, and there rested, with the
second day's objectives occupied by 2:50 o'clock of the first day. The
casualties of the division were about 1000, of which 134 were killed.
Of these, about half were marines. The captures in which the marines
participated were 80 German officers, 3200 men, ninety-odd cannon, and
vast stores.

But even further honors were to befall the fighting, landing, and
building force, of which the navy is justly proud. In the early part
of October it became necessary for the Allies to capture the bald,
jagged ridge twenty miles due east of Rheims, known as Blanc Mont
Ridge. Here the armies of Germany and the Allies had clashed more than
once, and attempt after attempt had been made to wrest it from German
hands. It was a keystone of the German defense, the fall of which
would have a far-reaching effect upon the enemy armies. To the glory
of the United States marines, let it be said, that they were again a
part of that splendid 2d Division which swept forward in the attack
which freed Blanc Mont Ridge from German hands, pushed its way down the
slopes, and occupied the level ground just beyond, thus assuring a
victory, the full import of which can best be judged by the order of
General Lejeune, following the battle:--

France, Oct. 11, 1918.

Officers and Men of the 2d Division:--

It is beyond my power of expression to describe fitly my admiration for
your heroism. You attacked magnificently and you seized Blanc Mont
Ridge, the keystone of the arch constituting the en