ad out before our lines was scarred with the shattered
remains of what had once been peaceful farming communities. To the
northwest there could be seen the spires above the city of Laon.

The American units which took part in this bitter fighting that had
continued without a day's cessation since July 18th, were mentioned
specifically in an order issued on August 27th by General Pershing. The
order read:

"It fills me with pride to record in general orders a tribute to the
service achievements of the First and Third Corps, comprising the
First, Second, Third, Fourth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty-eighth,
Thirty-second and Forty-second Divisions of the American Expeditionary
Forces.

"You came to the battlefield at a crucial hour for the Allied cause.
For almost four years the most formidable army the world has yet seen
had pressed its invasion of France and stood threatening its capital.
At no time has that army been more powerful and menacing than when, on
July 15th, it struck again to destroy in one great battle the brave
men opposed to it and to enforce its brutal will upon the world and
civilisation.

"Three days later in conjunction with our Allies you counter-attacked.
The Allied armies gained a brilliant victory that marks the turning
point of the war. You did more than to give the Allies the support to
which, as a nation, our faith was pledged. You proved that our
altruism, our pacific spirit, and our sense of justice have not
blunted our virility or our courage.

"You have shown that American initiative and energy are as fit for the
tasks of war as for the pursuits of peace. You have justly won
unstinted praise from our Allies and the eternal gratitude of our
countrymen.

"We have paid for our successes with the lives of many of our brave
comrades. We shall cherish their memory always and claim for our
history and literature their bravery, achievement and sacrifice.

"This order will be read to all organisations at the first assembly
formations following its receipt.

"PERSHING."

* * * * *

August 10th marked a milestone in the military effort of the United
States. On that day the organisation was completed of the First American
Field Army. I have tried to show in this record how we began the
organisation of our forces overseas. Our first troops to reach France
were associat