While the
battle operations of the Fourth Brigade as an infantry brigade
of the Second Division of Regulars overshadowed all others
taken part in by Marine Corps personnel, those operations were
by no means the only ones participated in by officers and men
of the Marine Corps.
The commanding
general of the Second Division from early in August, 1918, to
the date of demobilization, and several officers on his staff
were Marine officers. Officers of the Marine Corps were at
various times attached to the First, Second, Third, Fourth
Sixth Twenty-sixth, Thirty-second, Thirty-fifth, Ninetieth,
and Ninety-second Divisions, and in some cases engaged in
operations with them. Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune assumed
command of the Sixty-fourth Infantry Brigade of the
Thirty-second Division, then in the front line on the Swiss
border in the Suarce sector, on July 5, 1918. He was in
command of this brigade on July 22, 1918, when it was
withdrawn from the above-mentioned sector and continued in
command until July 25, 1918, when he left to command the
Fourth Brigade of Marines. Between July 5, 1918, and July 22,
1918, Brig. Gen. Lejeune, in addition to the Sixty-fourth
Brigade, commanded three French infantry regiments. Col.
Robert H. Dunlap was in command of the Seventeenth Field
Artillery Regiment of the Second Field Artillery Brigade,
Second Division, from October 30, 1918, to February, 1919.
Col. Hiram I. Bearss commanded the One hundred and second
Regiment of the Fifty-first Infantry Brigade, Twenty-sixth
Division, in the St. Mihiel offensive. Col. Frederic M. Wise
commanded the Fifty-ninth Regiment of the Eighth Infantry
Brigade, Fourth Division, from September 5, 1918, to January
4, 1919, during which period he participated in the St. Mihiel
and Meuse-Argonne major operations. From January 1, 1919, to
February 9, 1919, Col. Wise commanded the Eighth Infantry
Brigade of the Fourth Division.
A few Marine
officers and enlisted men engaged in Army aviation operations
and suffered casualties. About 20 Marine officers were sent to
France as observers and as such participated in operations
with American, French, and British forces. Marine aviation
personnel served in France as the Day Wing of the Northern
Bombing Group of the Navy. Marine flyers served with Squadrons
213 (pursuit squadron), 217, and 218 (bombing squadrons),
Royal Flying Corps of England; and with pursuit, observation,
and bombing squadrons of the French Flying Corps. Quite a few
casualties were suffered by the Marine aviation personnel.
The First
Marine Aeronautic Company, naval base No. 13, Ponta Delgada,
Azores, equipped for water flying only, performed patrol duty
from January, 1918, until November 11, 1918.
The Marine
Aviation Section, naval air station, Miami, Fla., performed
arduous patrol duties in the Florida Straits in connection
with the Navy from July, 1918, until the date the armistice
went into effect.
Marine
detachments served on board all the American battleships
attached to the British Grand Fleet and also on the American
battleships which based at Castletown Berehaven, Bantry Ba,
Ireland. Marines also served on board many of the cruisers
which escorted the vessels transporting Army troops to Europe.
They were also attached to many other naval vessels such as
the BROOKLYN, HELENA, and WILMINGTON, in China and Siberian
waters, at one time landing at Vladivostok in conjunction with
other naval forces; on the GALVESTON on the Murman Coast; and
on the PITTSBURGH in South American waters. Marines were also
on the SAN DIEGO when that vessel was sunk, and the MINNESOTA
when that ship was damaged by German mines. Marines were in
intimate contact with the Germans in Guam and Philadelphia in
conjunction with the Navy in the first hours of the war.
One brigade of
Marines was held in readiness in Texas for possible trouble in
Mexico which might endanger the Allies' oil supply. Another
was scattered throughout the island of Cuba. Large detachments
of Marines were stationed in the Azores and Virgin Islands in
the nature of advanced base forces, while an advanced base
force at Philadelphia was available at all times for naval
needs.
Marine forces
were also stationed in Guam, Philippine Islands, Peking, Pearl
Harbor, and Nicaragua and they assisted materially, under the
limited conditions, in the war.
Active
operations were conducted in Haiti and Santo Doiningo against
bandits during the period of the war by Marine forces, the
Haitian Gendarmerie and the Guardia Nacional Dominicana, the
two latter organizations being composed of natives and
administered and officered by the Marine and Navy personnel.
Casualties were suffered by Marines in the operations in Santo
Domingo, 4 Marines being killed, 13 wounded, and 1 officer
wounded, between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918.
Chapter IX.
UNITS COMPOSING, AND THE COMMANDING GENERALS OF, THE
SECOND DIVISION-VERDUN OPERATIONS.
The Second Division of Regulars.
The first unit
which ultimately formed a part of the Second Division arriving
in France was the Fifth Regiment of Marines which landed in
France with the first expedition of American troops in June,
1917. One Marine lieutenant colonel, who afterwards was the
first chief of staff of the Second Division, and another
Marine lieutenant colonel, who later commanded the Seventeenth
Field Artillery of the Second Division, accompanied Gen.
Pershing and his staff when they sailed from the United States
late in May, 1917.
The Second
Division was composed of the following units:
Third
Infantry Brigade:
Ninth
Infantry.
Twenty-third
Infantry.
Fifth
Machine Gun Battalion.
Fourth
Infantry Brigade:
Fifth
Marines.
Sixth
Marines.
Sixth
Machine Gun Battalion of Marines.
Second
Field
Artillery Brigade:
Twelfth
Field Artillery.
Fifteenth
Field Artillery.
Seventeenth
Field Artillery.
Second
Trench Mortar Battery.
Other
troops:
Second
Engineers.
Fourth
Machine Gun Battalion.
First
Field Signal Battalion.
Second
Headquarters Train and Military Police.
Second
Ammunition Train.
Second
Engineer Train.
Second
Supply Train.
Second
Sanitary Train.
On October 26,
1917, Brig. Gen. Charles A. Doyen, United States Marine Corps,
assumed command of the Second Division as its first commanding
general and announced his staff in General Orders, No. 1, with
station at Bourmont, Haute-Marne, France. Lieut. Col. Logan
Feland, United States Marine Corps, was the first chief of
staff. On November 8, 1917, Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy, United
States Army, assumed command, published such fact in General
Orders, No. 4,. November 8, 1917, and was in command of it
during the operations in the Verdun and Chateau-Thierry
sectors. Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord, United States Army,
commanded the division in the Aisne-Marne (Soissons) offensive
in July, 1918. Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune assumed command of
the division on July 28, 1918, and retained command until its
demobilization in August, 1919. Many Marine officers occupied
positions of importance and responsibility on the staff of the
commanding general, Second Division. A Marine officer
commanded the Seventeenth Field Artillery during the
Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and other Marine officers commanded
battalions of the Ninth Infantry and Fifteenth Field Artillery
for a time.
Neither the
Marine Brigade nor any other element of the Second Division
was the first American unit to enter the front line's since
the First Division enjoyed that honor in October, 1917, when
it entered the line in the quiet Toul sector.
The Fourth
Brigade remained in the Bourmont training area, with
headquarters at Damblain, until March 14, 1918, when it
commenced movement into subsectors of the Verdun front (X1
- see map above), the first units of the
brigade entering the front line during the night of March
16-17, 1918, with headquarters at Toulon. On April 1, 1918,
brigade headquarters was changed to Moscou. The brigade
remained on the Verdun front until May 14, 1918, when it
proceeded to an area around Vitry-le-Francois for open warfare
training, with headquarters at Venault-les-Dames. In the
meantime, on May 6, 1918, Brig. Gen. James G. Harbord assumed
command of the brigade relieving Big. Gen. Doyen who has been
ordered to the United States on account of his physical
condition. Brig. Gen. Doven relinquished command of the
brigade most unwillingly, and the reasons for his relief are
best set forth in the words of the citation of a Navy
Distinguished Service Medal posthumously awarded to him,
reading as follows.
By
reason of his abilities and personal efforts, he brought this
brigade to the very high state of efficiency which enabled it
to successfully resist the German army in the Chateau-Thierry
sector and Belleau Woods. The strong efforts on his part for
nearly a year undermined his health and necessitated his being
invalided to the United States before having the opportunity
to command the brigade in action, but his work was shown by
the excellent service rendered by the brigade, not only at
Belleau Woods, but during the entire campaign when they fought
many battles
Gen. Pershing
in a letter to Brig. Gen. Doyen stated in part:
Your
service has been satisfactory and your command is considered
as one of the best in France. I have nothing but praise for
the service which you have rendered in this command.
On May 14,
1918, the brigade left the area around Vitry-le-Francois as it
was unsuitable and proceeded to an area around
Gisors-Chaumont-en-Vixen, with headquarters at Bou-des-Bois.
The brigade was in this area when sudden orders came to move
to the Chateau-Thierry sector.
On May 27,
1918, Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune and Maj. Earl H. Ellis sailed
from New York on board the HENDERSON and arrived at Brest,
France, on June 8, 1918.
|
Medal
of Honor April 23,
1918 - Lieutenant
Commander (Dental Corps) ALEXANDER GORDON LYLE
USN. Born: 12 November 1889, Gloucester,
Mass. Appointed from: Massachusetts. Other Navy
award: Legion of Merit. Citation: For
extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while
serving with the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps.
Under heavy shellfire, on April 23, 1918, on the
French Front, Lt. Comdr. Lyle rushed to the
assistance of Cpl. Thomas Regan, who was seriously
wounded, and administered such effective surgical
aid while bombardment was still continuing, as to
save the life of Cpl. Regan.
|
Chapter X.
AISNE DEFENSIVE, HILL 142, BOURESCHES, AND BOIS DE LA
BRIGADE DE MARINE, IN THE CHATEAU-THIERRY SECTOR.
Chateau-Thierry/Bois de Belleau
sector
In order to
appreciate understandingly the importance of the early
operations participated in by the Marine Brigade as a unit of
the Second Division it is necessary to remember that in 1918,
prior to the middle of July, the offensive was in the hands of
the Imperial German Staff, and that between March 21, 1918,
and July 15, 1918, the Germans directed no less than five
major offensives against the Allied lines in efforts to bring
the war to a successful conclusion for the Central Powers.
American troops assisted in breaking up every one of these
drives, but the Second Division, including the Marines,
opposed only one, that in the Chateau-Thierry sector
(X2). It should also be noted that on March 28,
1918, the American commander in chief placed all of the
American forces at the disposal of Marshal Foch, who had been
agreed upon as commander in chief of the Allied Armies, to be
used as he might decide.
The first
offensive (Somme) of the Germans was stopped within a few
miles of Amiens, and the second (Lys) overran Armentieres. In
this second German offensive, which lasted from April 9 to 27,
1918, and which has been designated by the Americans as a
major operation, there were approximate 500 American troops
engage.
Chateau-Thierry
Then late in
May, 1918, with startling success, which brought a
corresponding depression to the morale of the Allies, the
Germans launched their third offensive, west of Rheims,
crossed the Chemin-des-Dames, captured Soissons, and the last
day of May found them marching in the direction of Paris down
the Marne Valley. Again the American commander in chief placed
every available man at the disposal of Marshal Foch. It was at
this critical time, when the Allies were facing a grave
crisis, that the Second Division, including the Marine
Brigade, together with elements of the Third and Twenty-eighth
Divisions, were thrown into the line and, in blocking the
German advance in the Chateau-Thierry sector, rendered great
assistance in stopping the most dangerous of the German
drives.
The first
report of the American commander in chief states that "the
Third Division, which had just come from its preliminary
training area, was hurried to the Marne. Its motorized
machine-gun battalion preceded the other units and
successfully held the bridge-head at the Marne opposite
Chateau-Thierry. The Second Division, in reserve near
Montdidier, was sent by motor trucks and other available
transport to check the progress of the enemy toward Paris."
The final
report of the American commander in chief with reference to
this third German offensive stated in part
On
reaching the Marne that river was used as a defensive flank
and the German advance was directed toward Paris. During the
first days of June something akin to a panic seized the city
and it was estimated that 1,000,000 people left during the
spring of 1918. * * *
The
Second Division, then in reserve northwest of Paris and
preparing to relieve the First Division, was hastily diverted
to the vicinity of Meaux on May 31, and, early on the morning
of June 1, was deployed across the Chateau-Thierry Paris road
near Montreuil-aux-Lions in a gap in the French line, where it
stopped the German advance on Paris.
Without
minimizing in any way the splendid actions of the Twenty-sixth
Division at Seicheprey and Xivray in April 1918, or the
brilliant exploit of the First Division at Cantigny on May 28,
1918, the fact remains that the Second Division, including the
Marine Brigade, was the first American division to get a
chance to play an important part on the western front, and how
well it repelled this dangerous thrust of the Germans along
the Paris-Metz highway is too well known to be dwelt upon at
length in this brief history.
The fighting of
the Second Division in the Chateau-Thierry sector was divided
into two parts, one a magnificently stubborn defensive lasting
a week and the other a vicious offensive. The defensive
fighting of the Second Division between May 31 and June 5,
1918, was part of the major operation called by the Americans
the Aisne defensive. Without discussing at this time the
tactical or strategical significance of the work of the second
Division in the Aisne defensive, suffice to say that its
psychological effect upon the morale of the Allies was
tremendous and has been recognized in practically every
writing worthy of consideration up to the present date.
The close of
the Aisne defensive on June 5, 1918, found the line of the
Second Division well established at that point of the Marne
salient nearest Paris, but not including Hill 14 2, Bois de
Belleau, Bouresches, or Vaux, and the Germans were in
possession of Chateau-Thierry on the right of the Second
Division, and continued to hold that town until about July 17,
1918.
Bois
de Belleau
On June 6, 1918,
the Second Division snatched the initiative from the Germans and
started an offensive on its front which did not end until July
1, 1918. The Marine Brigade captured Hill 142 and Bouresches on
June 6, 1918, and in the words of Gen. Pershing, "sturdily held
its ground against the enemy's best guard divisions," and
completely cleared Bois de Belleau of the enemy on June 26,
1918, a major of Marines sending in his famous message: "Woods
now U. S. Marine Corps' entirely." The American commander in
chief in his first report calls this fighting "the battle of
Belleau Wood" and states, "our men proved their superiority, and
gained a strong tactical position with far greater loss to the
enemy than to ourselves." In his final report he states: "The
enemy having been halted, the Second Division commenced a series
of vigorous attacks on June 4, which resulted in the capture of
Belleau Woods [on June 26] after very severe fighting. The
village of Bouresches was taken soon after [on June 6] and on
July 1 Vaux was captured. In these operations the Second
Division met with most desperate resistance by Germany's best
troops." On July 1, 1918, the Third Brigade captured Vaux. The
Artillery, Engineers, and the other elements of the Second
Division assisted materially in these successes, while the
Seventh regiment of the Third Division was in Belleau Wood for a
few day about the middle of June.
During these 31
days of constant fighting, the last 26 of which has been defined
by general headquarters of the American Expeditionary Forces as
a "local engagement," the Second Division suffered 1,811 battle
deaths (of which approximately 1,062 were Marines) and suffered
additional casualties amounting to 7,252 (of which approximately
3,615 were Marines). It was that fighting and those 9,063
casualties that first made the name Chateau-Thierry famous.
The achievements
of the Fourth Brigade of Marines in the Chateau-Thierry sector
was twice recognized by the French. The first, which changed the
name of the Bois de Belleau, was a beautiful tribute
spontaneously made to the successes and to the losses of the
Fourth Brigade of Marines, and shows the deep effect that the
retaking of Belleau Wood and other near-by positions from the
Germans had on the feelings of the French and the morale of the
Allies. Official maps were immediately modified to conform with
the provisions of the order, the plan directeur used in later
operations bearing the name "Bois de la Brigade de Marine."
The French also used this new name in their orders, as
illustrated by an ordre general dated August 9, 1918, signed by
the commanding general of the Sixth French Army, reading in part
as follows:
Avant
la grande offensive du 18 Juillet, les troupes americaines
faisant partie de la VIe Armee francaise se sont distinguees
en enlevant a l'ennemi le Bois de la Brigade De Marine et le
village de Vaux, en arretant son offensive sur la Marine et a
Fossoy.
The
order changing the name of Bois de Belleau reads as follows:
VI
ARMEE,
ETAT-MAJOR, au Q. G. A.,
le
30
Juin, 1918.
ORDRE.
En
raison de Ia brillante conduite de la 4eme Brigade de la 2eme
D. U. S. qui a enleve de haute lutte Bouresches et le point
d'appui important du Bois de Belleau, defendu avec 6930/2.]
acharnement par un adversaire nombreux, le general commandant
la VI Armee decide que dorenavant, dans toutes les pieces
officielles, le Bois de Belleau portera le nom de "Bois de la
Brigade de Marine."
Le
General
de Division Degoutte,
Commandant
la
VI Armee.
(Signed)
DEGOUTTE
A.
M.
le GENERAL CDT. la 4ME BRIGADE de MARINE.
s/c.
de
M. le General Cdt. La 2me D. U.S.
The second
recognition by the French of the Marines' work in the
Chateau-Thierry sector were citations of the Fourth Brigade,
Fifth and Sixth Regiments, and the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion
of Marines, in French army orders, that of the brigade, the
others being identical, reading as follows:
Apres approbation du general commandant en chef les forces
expeditionnaires americaines en France, le general commandant
en chef les armees francaises du nord et du nord-est, cite a
l'Ordre de l'Armee:
"4 Brigade American sous les ordres du General de Brigade James G.
Harbord, comprenant: Le 5e Regiment de Marine, sous les ordres
du Colonel Wendell C. Neville, le 6e regiment de Marine, sous
les ordres du Colonel Albertus W. Catlin, le 6e Bataillion de
mitrailleuses, sous les ordres du Commandant Edward B. Cole:
"A
ete jetee en pleine bataille, sur un front violemment attaque
par l'ennemi. S'est affirmee aussitot comme une unite de tout
premier order. Des son entree en ligne, a brise, en liaison
avec les troupes francaise, une violente attaque ennemie sur
un point important de la position et entrepris ensuite a son
compte une serie d'operations offensives. Au cours de ces
operations, grace au courage brillant, a la vigueur, a
l'allant, a la tenacite de ses hommes que ne se sont laisses
rebuter ni par les fatigues, ni par les pertes; grace a
l'activite et a l'energie de ses officiers; grace enfin a
l'action personnelle de son chef, le General J. Harbord, la 4e
brigade a vu ses efforts couronnes de succes. En intime
liaison l'un avec l'autre, ses deux regiments et son bataillon
de mitrailleuses ont realize, apres douze jours de lutte
incessante (du 2 au 13 Juin 1918) dans un terrain try
difficile, une progression variant entre 1,500 a 2,000 metres,
sur un front de 4 kilometres, capturant un nombreux material,
faisant plus de 500 prisonniers, infligeant a l'ennemi des
pertes considerables et lui enlevant deux points d'appui de
premier importance-le village de Bouresches et le bois
organize de Belleau."
Au
Grand Quartier General, le 22 octobre 1918.
Le
General
Commandant en Chef.
Signe:
PETAIN
(Ordre
No.
10.805 "D.")
In addition to
the above-described instances, French civilian sentiment
expressed itself in the following letter from the mayor of Meaux
and Resolution from the assembled mayors of the Meaux District
(Arrondissement). This letter and the resolutions were published
on July 10, 1918, in General Orders No. 43, of the Second
Division "as indicating the appreciation of the efforts of the
Second Division by the French inhabitants for our share in
stemming the recent German advance in this sector."
MEAUX,
June
26, 1918.
GENERAL:
On behalf of all the Mayors of the Meaux District
(Arrondissement), assembled yesterday in congress at the city
hall, I have the honor to send you herewith a copy of the
resolution they have taken in order to pay homage to the
gallantry displayed by the troops under your command and to the
effectiveness of the help they rendered us.
The
civilian population of this part of the country will never
forget that the beginning of this month of June, when their
homes were threatened by the invader, the Second American
Division victoriously stepped forth and succeeded in saving them
from impending danger.
I
am personally happy to be able to convey to you this modest
token of their thankfulness and I am General,
Yours,
respectfully,
(Signed)
G.
LUGOL,
Mayor
of
Meaux, Depute de Seine et Marne.
Voted in a
Congress of the Mayors of Meaux District on the 25th of June,
1918.
The
mayors of the Meaux district, who were eye-witnesses to the
generous and efficacious deeds of the American Army in stopping
the enemy advance, send to this Army the heart-felt expression
of their admiration and gratefulness.
(Signed)
G.
LUGOL,
President
of
the Committee.
MEAUX,
June
25, 1918.
During the first
attack on Belleau Wood on June 6, 1918, Col. Albertus W. Catlin
was severely wounded and was relieved in command of the Sixth
Regiment by Lieut. Col. Harry Lee, who continued in command
until the regiment was demobilized in August, 1919.
When Maj. Edward
B. Cole was mortally wounded on June 10, 1918, he was relieved
in command of the Sixth Machine, Gun Battalion of Marines by
Capt. Harlan E. Major. On June 11, 1918, Captain Major was
relieved by Capt.George H. Osterhout, who retained command until
relieved by Maj. Littleton W. T. Waller, Jr., on June 21, 1918.
During the
fighting in the Chateau-Thierry sector the headquarters of the
Fourth Brigade was successively at Montreuil-aux-Lions, (in an
automobile for one-half hour on the way to the front lines),
Issonge farmhouse, and La Loge farmhouse. After being relieved
by elements of the Twenty-sixth Division during the night of
July 5-6, 1918, the brigade moved to an area in rear of the
lines and occupied what was known as the Line of Defense or Army
Line, with headquarters at Nanteuil-sur-Marne. The brigade
remained there until July 16, 1918.
During the time
the above-described fighting was going on the Germans were
frustrated in their fourth 1918 drive (Noyon-Montdidier
defensive) between June 9 and 15, 1918, and of course being busy
in the vicinity of Bois de Belleau, the Marines had no
opportunity of engaging in it.
Having been
blocked in the Marne salient, the Germans attacked for the fifth
time in 1918 on July 15, and as events turned out it was the
last, for from the time of its failure they were on the
defensive. The Allied troops including many Americans held this
attack, called by the Americans the Champagne-Marne defensive,
which was on a large scale, and the grand initiative passed from
the Germans to the Allies on July 18, 1918, when Marshal Foch
launched his initial major offensive, termed by the Americans
the Aisne-Marne. In this magnificent and gigantic operation the
Marine Brigade and other elements of the second Division played
leading parts in the vicinity of Soissons.
General
headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, on May 28, 1919,
credited the Second Division units with participation in the
major operation of Champagne-Marne defensive, but on June
2,1919, rescinded this credit.
|
  Medal
of Honor - June 6, 1918 - Gunnery
Sergeant ERNEST AUGUST JANSON USMC, near
Chateau-Thierry. Rank and organization:,
U.S. Marine Corps, 49th Company. (Served under
name of Charles F. Hoffman) Born: 17 August 1878,
New York, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. (Also
received Army Medal of Honor.) Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy
near Chateau-Thierry, France, June 6, 1918.
Immediately after the company to which G/Sgt.
Janson belonged, had reached its objective on Hill
142, several hostile counterattacks were launched
against the line before the new position had been
consolidated. G/Sgt. Janson was attempting to
organize a position on the north slope of the hill
when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with 5 light
machine guns, crawling toward his group. Giving
the alarm, he rushed the hostile detachment,
bayoneted the 2 leaders, and forced the others to
flee, abandoning their guns. His quick action,
initiative and courage drove the enemy from a
position from which they could have swept the hill
with machine gun fire and forced the withdrawal of
our troops.
|
|
 Medal
of Honor (posthumous) - June 6, 1918 - Lieutenant,
Junior Grade, (Dental Corps) WEEDON E. OSBORNE
USN, Belleau Wood. Born: 13 November
1892, Chicago, Ill. Appointed from: Illinois.
Citation: For extraordinary heroism while attached
to the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines, in actual
conflict with the enemy and under fire during the
advance on Bouresche, France, on June 6, 1918. In
the hottest of the fighting when the Marines made
their famous advance on Bouresche at the southern
edge of Belleau Wood, Lt (j.g.). Osborne threw
himself zealously into the work of rescuing the
wounded. Extremely courageous in the performance
of this perilous task, he was killed while
carrying a wounded officer to a place of safety.
|
|
Medal
of Honor - June 11, 1918 - Lieutenant
(Medical Corps) ORLANDO HENDERSON PETTY US Naval
Reserve Force, Belleau Wood. Born:
20 February 1874, HARRISON, Ohio. Appointed from:
Pennsylvania. Citation: For extraordinary heroism
while serving with the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marines,
in France during the attack in the Boise de
Belleau, June 11, 1918. While under heavy fire of
high explosive and gas shells in the town of Lucy,
where his dressing station was located, Lt. Petty
attended to and evacuated the wounded under most
trying conditions. Having been knocked to the
ground by an exploding gas shell which tore his
mask, Lt. Petty discarded the mask and
courageously continued his work. His dressing
station being hit and demolished, he personally
helped carry Capt. Williams, wounded, through the
shellfire to a place of safety.
|
Chapter XI.
THE AISNE-MARNE OFFENSIVE (SOISSONS).
On July 11,
1918, Brig. Gen. James G. Harbord, commanding general of the
Marine Brigade, received notification of his appointment as a
major general, and two days later left on a five days' leave
of absence. As Col. Neville had been evacuated to a base
hospital after leaving the Chateau-Thierry sector, Lieut. Col.
Harry Lee assumed temporary command of the brigade. Maj. Gen.
Harbord and Col. Neville both returned in time to enter the
Aisne-Marne offensive, the former in command of the Second
Division and the latter in command of the Fourth Brigade.
Of the six
Allied offensives taking place in 1918 on the Western Front,
designated by the Americans as major operations, the Fourth
Brigade of Marines, with the other units of the Second
Division, participated in three, the first being the vast
offensive known as the Aisne-Marne, in which the Marine
Brigade entered the line near Soissons (X3).
On July 17,
1918, the First Moroccan Division and the First and Second
Divisions of American Regulars were hurriedly and secretly
concentrated, by terribly fatiguing, forced night marches over
roads jammed with troops, artillery, and tanks, through rain
and mud, in the Bois de Retz, near Soissons. Headquarters of
the Fourth Brigade was established at Vivieres.
The getting to
the "jump-off" on time for this operation will always share in
Marine Corps history with the glorious victory that followed.
Early on the
morning of July 18, 1918, Marshal Foch threw these three
picked divisions at the unsuspecting Germans with overwhelming
success, and again on the following day. The American
commander in chief in his first report stated:
The
place of honor in the thrust toward Soissons on July 18 was
given to our First and Second Divisions, in company with
chosen French divisions. Without the usual brief warning of a
preliminary bombardment, the massed French and American
artillery, firing by the map, laid down its rolling barrage at
dawn while the Infantry began its charge. The tactical
handling of our troops under these trying conditions was
excellent throughout the action. * * * The Second Division
took Beaurepaire Farm and Vierzy in a very rapid advance, and
reached a position in front of Tigny at the end of its second
day.
In his final
report he stated:
Gen.
Petain's initial plan for the counterattack involved the
entire western face of the Marne salient. The First and Second
American Divisions, with the First French Moroccan Division
between them, were employed as the spearhead of the main
attack, driving directly eastward, through the most sensitive
portion of the German lines to the heights south of Soissons.
The advance began on July 18, without the usual brief warning
of a preliminary bombardment, and these three divisions at a
single bound broke through the enemy's infantry defenses and
overran his artillery, cutting or interrupting the German
communications leading into the salient. A general withdrawal
from the Marne was immediately begun by the enemy, who still
fought stubbornly to prevent disaster. * * *
The
Second Division advanced 8 kilometers in the first 26 hours,
and by the end of the Second day was facing Tigny, having
captured 3,000 prisoners and 66 field guns. It was relieved
the night of the 19th by a French division. The result of this
counter-offensive was of decisive importance. Due to the
magnificent dash and power displayed on the field of Soissons
by our First and Second Divisions the tide of war was
definitely turned in favor of the Allies.
Maj. Gen. James
G. Harbord, commanding the Second Division in this operation,
describes the two days' fighting of his division in these
words:
It
is with keen pride that the division commander transmits to
the command the congratulations and affectionate personal
greetings of Gen. Pershing who visited the division
headquarters last night. His praise of the gallant work of the
division on the 18th and 19th is echoed by the French high
command, the Third Corps commander, American Expeditionary
Forces, and in a telegram from the former division commander.
In spite of two sleepless nights, long marches through rain
and mud, and the discomforts of hunger and thirst, the
division attacked side by side with the gallant First Moroccan
Division and maintained itself with credit. You advanced over
6 miles, captured over 3,000 prisoners, 11 batteries of
artillery, over 100 machine guns, minnenwerfers, and supplies.
The Second Division has sustained the best traditions of the
Regular Army and the Marine Corps. The story of your
achievements will be told in millions of homes in all Allied
lands to-night.
This was one of
the greatest strategical successes of Marshal Foch, and that
the part played by the Marines was appreciated by the French
is illustrated by the Fifth and Sixth Regiments and the Sixth
Machine Gun Battalion being cited in French Army orders. The
citations of the Sixth Regiment (that of the Fifth Regiment
being similar) and that of the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion are
quoted below:
Apres
approbation du general commandant en chef les forces
expeditionnaires Americiaines en France, le general
commandant en chef les armees Francaises du nord et du
nord-est, cit a l'Ordre de l'Armee:
"Le
6e Regiment de Marine Americaine, sous les ordres du
Lieutenant-Colonel Lee,
"Engages
a l'improviste dans l'offensive du 18 juillet 1918, en
pleine nuit, dans un terrain inconnu et tres difficile, ont
deploye pendant deux jours, sans se laisser arreter une
tenacite remarquables, refoulant l'ennemi sur 11 kilometres
de profondeur, capturant 2,700 prisonniers, 12 canons et
plusiers centaines de mitrailleuses,"
Au Grand
Quartier General, le 25 Octobre 1918.
(Ordre
No.
10.886 "D.")
Le
General
Commandant en Chef.
Signe:
PETAIN
Apres
approbation du general commandant en chef les forces
expeditionnaires en France, le marechal de France,
commandant en chef les Armees Francaises de l'est cite a
l'Ordre de l'Armee:
"Le
6e Bataillon de Mitrailleuses U.S. Marine, sous les ordres
du Commandant L. W. T. Waller.
"Quoique
tres fatigue par un long trajet en camion et une marche de
nuit sur des routes difficiles, ce batillon s'est precipite
a l'attaque le 18 juillet 1918, pres de Vierzy et a
puissamment contribute a consolider et a maintenir la
position atteinte ce jour-la.
"Dans
la matinee du 19 juillet, il s'est vaillamment porte en
avant, en terrain decouvert, sous un violent feu
d'artillerie et de mitrailleuses, soutenant resolument
l'attaque lancee contre les positions reforcees de l'ennemi.
"Ayant
a fair face a une forte resistance ennemie et a des
contre-attaques continelles, a fait preuve du plus beau
courage en consolidant rapidement et en tenant resolument
l'importante position conquises par l'infanterie ce
jour-la."
Au
Grand Quartier General, le 4 Mars 1919.
(Ordre
No.
13.978 "D.")
Le
Marechal,
Commandant
en
Chef les Armees Francaises del' Est.
PETAIN
Following the
advance of the first day, brigade headquarters was moved
forward to a cave in Vierzy.
Col. Logan
Feland was in command of the Fifth Regiment during the
Aisne-Marne offensive, near Soissons, and continued in command
of it with the exception of two days in July, 1918 (when Brig.
Gen. Lejeune commanded the Fourth Brigade and Col. Neville the
Fifth Regiment), until March 21, 1919, when he was relieved by
Col. Harold C. Snyder, who retained command until the date of
demobilization.
The Fourth
Brigade was relieved about midnight July 19, 1918, and after
remaining in a reserve position until July 22, 1918, marched
to an area farther in the rear, but still in a reserve
position, brigade headquarters being established at
Taillefontaine. After final relief from this active sector the
brigade was billeted July 24-25, 1918, in an area around
Nanteuil-le-Haudouin, brigade headquarters being established
at Nanteuil. The brigade remained in this area until July 31,
1918.
On Jul 25,
1918, Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune arrived, and assumed command
of the Fourth Brigade on July 26, 1918, General Orders, No.
16, reading as follows:
I
have this day assumed command of the Fourth Brigade, U. S.
Marines. To command this brigade is the highest honor that
could come to any man. Its renown is imperishable and the
skill, endurance, and valor of the officers and men have
immortalized its name and that of the Marine Corps.
Brig. General
Lejeune retained command until July 29, 1918, when he became
commanding general of the Second Division, relieving Maj. Gen.
Harbord, who left to assume command of the Services of Supply.
Col. Neville, on this latter date, resumed command of the
Fourth Brigade.
|
 Medal
of Honor - July 18, 1918 - Sergeant
LOUIS CUKELA USMC, near Viller-Cottertes,
66th Company, 5th Regiment, 2nd Div. Born: 1 May
1888, Sebenes, Austria. Accredited to: Minnesota.
(Also received Army Medal of Honor.) Citation: For
extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th
Company, 5th Regiment during action in the Forest
de Retz, near Viller-Cottertes, France, July 18,
1918. Sgt. Cukela (right - as Major)
advanced alone against an enemy strong point that
was holding up his line. Disregarding the warnings
of his comrades, he crawled out from the flank in
the face of heavy fire and worked his way to the
rear of the enemy position. Rushing a machine gun
emplacement, he killed or drove off the crew with
his bayonet, bombed out the remaining part of the
strong point with German hand grenades and
captured 2 machine guns and 4 men.
|
|
Medal
of Honor
- 18 July , 1918 - Sergeant MATEJ KOCAK USMC
(killed 4 October , 1918), near
Viller-Cottertes. Born: 31 December 1882,
Gbely (Slovakia), Austria. Accredited to: New
York. ( Also received Army Medal of Honor. )
Citation: For extraordinary heroism while
serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment, 2d
Division, in action in the Viller-Cottertes
section, south of Soissons, France, 18 July ,
1918. When a hidden machine gun nest halted the
advance of his battalion, Sgt. Kocak went
forward alone unprotected by covering fire and
worked his way in between the German positions
in the face of heavy enemy fire. Rushing the
enemy position with his bayonet, he drove off
the crew. Later the same day, Sgt. Kocak
organized French colonial soldiers who had
become separated from their company and led them
in an attack on another machine gun nest which
was also put out of action.
|
|
 Medal
of Honor
- July 19, 1918 - Lieutenant
(Medical Corps) JOEL THOMPSON BOONE USN,
Vierzy. Entered service at: St. CLAIR, Pa. Born: 2
August 1889, St. Clair, Pa. Citation: For
extraordinary heroism, conspicuous gallantry, and
intrepidity while serving with the 6th Regiment,
U.S. Marines, in actual conflict with the enemy.
With absolute disregard for personal safety, ever
conscious and mindful of the suffering fallen,
Surg. Boone leaving
the shelter of a ravine, went forward onto the
open field where there was no protection and
despite the extreme enemy fire of all calibers,
through a heavy mist of gas, applied dressings and
first aid to wounded Marines. This occurred
southeast of Vierzy, near the cemetery, and on the
road south from that town. When the dressings and
supplies had been exhausted, he went through a
heavy barrage of large-caliber shells, both high
explosive and gas, to replenish these supplies,
returning quickly with a sidecar load, and
administered them in saving the lives of the
wounded. A second trip, under the same conditions
and for the same purpose, was made by Surg. Boone
later that day.
|
|
Medal
of Honor - July 19 and October 5, 1918 - Pharmacist's
Mate First Class JOHN HENRY BALCH USN, Vierzy
and Somme-Py. Entered service at:
Kansas City, Mo. Born: 2 January 1896, Edgerton,
Kans. Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty, with the 6th Regiment, 2nd U.S. Marines, in
action at Vierzy, on July 19, 1918. Balch
unhesitatingly and fearlessly exposed himself to
terrific machine gun and high-explosive fire to
succor the wounded as they fell in the attack,
leaving his dressing station voluntarily and
keeping up the work all day and late into the
night unceasingly for 16 hours. Also in the action
at Somme-Py on October 5, 1918, he exhibited
exceptional bravery in establishing an advanced
dressing station under heavy shellfire.
|
Chapter XII.
MARBACHE SECTOR, NEAR PONT-A-MOUSSON-ST. MIHIEL
OFFENSIVE.
During the last
two days of July, 1918, the units of the brigade entrained for
a 24-hour railroad journey which took them to an area around
Nancy, with headquarters at Villers-les-Nancy, where they
remained resting and refitting until August 9, 1918.
On August 7,
1918, information was received of the promotion of Bri. Gen.
Lejeune to the grade of major general, and of Col. Neville to
the grade of brigadier general, both to date from July 1,
1918.
Col. Albertus
W. Catlin arrived in the United States on board the AMERICA on
August 3, 1918. Col. Catlin, having been wounded on June 6,
1918, during the first attack on Bois de Belleau, was admitted
to Hospital No. 2, Paris, France, on the next day, was
discharged on July 22, 1918, granted two months' sick leave,
and sailed for New York from Brest, France, on July 25, 1918.
On August 5,
1918, movement of units of the brigade was started for the
occupation of the Marbache subsector
(X4), near Pont-a-Mousson, on the Moselle
River. By August 8, 1918, the movement was completed, with
Headquarters established at Scarponne just across the Moselle
River from Dieulouard. The sector was quiet and occupation
uneventful except for an enemy raid which was successfully
repulsed and prisoners captured.
On August 8,
1918, Lieut. Col. Earl H. Ellis was appointed adjutant of the
Fourth Brigade, relieving Lieut. Col. Harry R. Lay, who had
been detailed as inspector general of the Second Division.
The relief from
the Marbache sector was completed on August 18, 1918, and the
brigade moved to an area about 20 kilometers southeast of
Toul, headquarters being established at Favieres. Intensive
training for the impending St. Mihiel offensive was indulged
in here.
The brigade
started to move from this area on the night of September 2,
1918, and after a series of night marches, during which time
headquarters were established at Pont St. Vincent,
Velaine-en-Haye, and Bouvron, the brigade arrived just outside
of Manonville, headquarters being established in Manonville.
From September 12 to 16, 1918 the brigade was engaged in the
St. Mihiel offensive (X5) in
the vicinity of Remenauville, Thiaucourt, Xammes, and Jaulny
as a unit of the Second Division of the First Corps of the
First Army. Headquarters during these operations were
successively at 1 kilometer north of Lironville, Thiaucourt,
and finally at Manonville, on September 16, 1918.
On September
20, 1918, the brigade moved to an area south of Toul, with
headquarters at Chaudenay. The brigade remained in this area
until September 25, 1918, when it moved by rail to an area
south of Chalons-sur-Marne, with headquarters at Sarry.
|
 Medal
of Honor - September 15, 1918 - Hospital
Apprentice First Class DAVID E. HAYDEN USN,
Thiaucourt. Serving with the 2d Battalion,
6th Regiment, U.S. Marines. Entered service at:
Texas. Born: 2 October 1897 Florence, Tex.
Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty. During the advance, when Cpl. Creed was
mortally wounded while crossing an open field
swept by machine gun fire, Hayden unhesitatingly
ran to his assistance and, finding him so severely
wounded as to require immediate attention,
disregarded his own personal safety to dress the
wound under intense machine gun fire, and then
carried the wounded man back to a place of safety.
|
Chapter XIII.
THE CHAMPAGNE - BATTLE OF BLANC MONT RIDGE - CAPTURE
OF ST. ETIENNE - MARCH TO LEFFINCOURT.
Marshal Foch,
having asked for an American division to assist in breaking
through the powerful German defenses in the Champagne, the
Second Division, including the Marine Brigade, was temporarily
placed at the disposal of the Fourth French Army under Gen.
Gouraud from September 27, 1918, to October 10, 1918. At first
it was directly subject to the orders of Marshal Petain, but
before the actual fighting began it was placed directly under
the orders of Gen. Gouraud.
On September
28, 1918, the Fourth Brigade moved by bus and marching to the
Souain-Suippes area, with brigade headquarters at Suippes.
On October 1,
1918, in an order of the Second Division, the commanding
general of the Second Division encouraged his division with
the following words:
1.
The greatest battles in the world's history are now being
fought. The Allies are attacking successfully on all fronts.
The valiant Belgian Army has surprised and defeated the enemy
in Flanders; the English, who have been attacking the enemy
without ceasing since August 8, have advanced beyond the
Hindenburg Line, between Cambria and St. Quentin, capturing
thousands of prisoners and hundreds of cannon; the heroic
Allied Army of the Orient has decisively defeated the Bulgars;
the British have captured over 50,000 prisoners in Palestine
and have inflicted a mortal blow on the Turk; and our own
First Army and the Fourth French Army have already gained much
success in the preliminary stages of their attack between the
Meuse and Suippes Rivers.
2.
Owing to its world-wide reputation for skill and valor, the
Second Division was selected by the commander in chief of the
Allied Armies as his special reserve, and has been held in
readiness to strike a swift and powerful blow at the vital
point of the enemy's line. The hour to move forward has now
come, and I am confident that our division will pierce the
enemy's line, and once more gloriously defeat the Hun.
The Battle of
Blanc Mont Ridge (X6) was
one of the most powerful and effective blows struck under the
direction of Marshal Foch against the retreating Germans, and
its brilliantly successful conclusion was due in a great
degree to the military genius of Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune of
the Marines.
On September
27, 1918, Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune called on Gen. Gouraud at
the headquarters of the Fourth French Army, who explained the
situation at the front to him. Facing a large relief map of
the battlefield, Gen. Gouraud placed his hand on the Blanc
Mont Ridge and said: "General, this position is the key of all
the German defenses of this sector including the whole Rheims
Massif. If this ridge can be taken the Germans will be obliged
to retreat along the whole front 30 kilometers to the river
Aisne. Do you think your division could effect its capture?"
Maj. Gen. Lejeune responded that he felt certain the Second
Division could take the stronghold pointed out, whereupon he
was informed that he would be ordered to make the attack
within a few days and was directed to prepare a plan for the
assault.
At this time
the Second Division was directly subject to the orders of
Marshal Petain, but later in the day Gen. Gouraud informed
Maj. Gen. Lejeune that after an explanation of the
circumstances Marshal Petain had assigned the division to the
Fourth French Army.
The general
plan provided for an attack by the whole Fourth French Army
between the Argonne and the Suippes River.
On October 1,
1918, the brigade with the rest of the Second Division marched
to the front line near Somme-Py on the night of October 1-2,
1918, and relieved elements of a French division. The brigade
headquarters was located in the trenches about 2 1/2
kilometers south of Somme-Py. The relief was effected before
daylight without incident.
The Battle of
Blanc Mont Ridge was fought and won by the Second Division, as
a unit of the Fourth French Army, between October 3 and 9,
1918, over the desolated white chalky ground of the Champagne,
which was scarred and shell pocked by years of artillery fire,
marked with huge mine craters, gridironed with an intricate
maze of deep trenches and concrete fortifications, and covered
with tangled masses of wire.
The
overwhelming success and the far-reaching effect of the Second
Division's part in these operations, the cleaning up of the
Essen Hook, the capture of Blanc Mont Ridge, and the capture
of St. Etienne, are well described in general terms in the
following excerpts from official publications.
That the plan
was as brilliantly executed as it was daringly conceived is
shown by this extract from an order of the Second Division,
dated November 11, 1918, reading in part as follows:
In
the Champagne district, October 2 to 10, it fought beside the
Fourth French Army. On October 3 it seized Blanc Mont Ridge,
the keystone of the arch of the main German position, advanced
beyond the ridge and, although both flanks were unsupported,
it held all its gains with the utmost tenacity, inflicting
tremendous losses on the enemy. This victory freed Rheims and
forced the entire German Army between that city and the
Argonne Forest to retreat to the Aisne, a distance of 30
kilometers.
The amazing
success of the attack and the vital effect of the capture of
Blanc Mont Ridge and St. Etienne is described in the words of
Gen. Gouraud himself in a letter to Marshal Foch, reading in
part as follows:
Because
of the brilliant part played by this "Grand Unit" in the
offensive of the Fourth Army during the autumn of 1918, I
propose the Second American Division for a citation in "The
Order of the Army" upon the following specific grounds:
The
Second Infantry Division, United States, brilliantly commanded
by Gen. Lejeune * * * played a glorious part in the operations
of the Fourth Army in the Champagne in October, 1918. On the
3d of October this division drove forward and seized in a
single assault the strongly entrenched German positions
between Blanc Mont and Medeah Ferme, and again pressing
forward to the outskirts of Saint Etienne-a-Arnes it made in
the course of the day an advance of about 6 kilometers.
It
captured several thousand prisoners, many cannon and machine
guns, and a large quantity of other military materiel. This
attack, combined with that of the French divisions on its left
and right, resulted in the evacuation by the enemy of his
positions on both sides of the river Suippe and his withdrawal
from the Massif de Notre-Dame-des-Champs.
The further
opinion of the French as to the results and effect of the
Second Division's operations in Champagne is set forth in the
following-quoted extract from Information Bulletin No. 12 of
the Fourth French Army dated October 7, 1918:
Up
to October 4, at which date the present bulletin is written,
the Fourth Army has pushed its advance up to objectives of the
very highest importance. A splendid American division, full of
dash and ardor, the Second Division, United States, placed at
the disposition of the Twenty-first Corps on October 3, made
itself master of Massif du Blanc Mont, which dominates the
valley of the Arnes and gives us excellent outlook on the
valley of the Suippe in rear of the region of Monts. This
conquest rapidly brought the downfall of Notre-Dame-des Champs
and the Grand Bois de Saint Souplet.
The American
commander in chief in his first report describes the Battle of
Blanc Mont in the following words:
The
Second Division conquered the complicated defense works on
their front against a persistent defense worthy of the
grimmest period of trench warfare and attacked the strongly
held wooded hill of Blanc Mont, which they captured in a
second assault, sweeping over it with consummate dash and
skill. This division then repulsed strong counterattacks
before the village and cemetery of St. Etienne and took the
town, forcing the Germans to fail back from before Rheims and
yield positions they had held since September, 1914.
In his final
report the American commander in chief remarked as follows:
The
Second Division completed its advance on this front by the
assault of the wooded heights of Mont Blanc, the key point of
the German position, which was captured with consummate dash
and skill. The division then repulsed violent counterattacks
and then carried our lines into the village of St. Etienne,
thus forcing the Germans to fall back before Rheims and yield
positions which they had held since September, 1914.
The citation of
the Fifth Regiment of Marines (the citation of the Sixth
Regiment being identical) reads as follows:
Apres
approbation du general commandant en chef les forces
expeditionnaires Americaines en France, le marechal de
France, commandant en chef les armees francaises de l'est,
cite a l'Ordre de l'Armee:
"Le
5eme Regiment de Marine Americain, sous les ordres du
Colonel Logan Feland:
"A
pris une part glorieuse aux operations engagees pas la 4eme
Armee en Champagne en Octobre 1918. Le 3 Octobre 1918, a
participe a l'attaque des positions allemandes l'avant
jussqu'aux abords de Saint-Etienne a Arnes, a realise une
avance de 6 kilometres. A fait plusieurs milliers de
prisonniers, capture des canons, des mitrailleuses et un
important material de guerre. Cette attaque, combinee ave
celle des Divisions Francaises, a eu pour consequence
l'evacuation des deux rives de la Suippe et du Massif de
Notre-Dame-des-Champs."
Au
Grand Quartier General, le 21 March 1919.
Le
Marechal,
Commandant en Chef les Armees Francaises de l'Est.
Signe:
PETAIN.
(Order
No.
14.712 "D.")
On October 10,
1918, having been relieved from the line in the Blanc Mont
sector, the brigade took station in the Suippes-Somme
Suippes-Nantivet area and the adjacent camps with headquarters
at Suippes, being assigned as Fourth French Army reserve. The
brigade remained in this area resting and refitting until
October 14, 1918, when, in accordance with orders, it marched
to the Vadenay-Bouy-la-Veuve-Dampierre area, north of
Chalons-sur-Marne, with headquarters at Bouy. While here
orders were received placing the Fourth Brigade provisionally
at the disposal of the Ninth French Army Corps to hold a
sector in the region Attigny-Voncq-Aisne River
Accordingly on
October 20, 1918, the brigade was temporarily detached from
the Second Division and marched to the area
Suippes-Nantivet-Somme-Suippes, with headquarters at Suippes.
On October 21, 1918, in obedience to orders, the Marines hiked
to the vicinity of Leffincourt, where brigade headquarters was
established. While about to take over the assigned sector the
Fourth Brigade received orders to rejoin the Second Division,
which was preparing to enter the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
After a hard march these orders were obeyed and brigade
headquarters established at Mont Pelier on October 23, 1918.
On October 24,
1918, Maj. Matthew W. Kingman relieved Maj. Littleton W. T.
Waller, jr., in command of the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion of
Marines, Maj. Waller joining the Second Division staff as
division machine gun officer.
|
 Medal
of Honor (posthumous)
- October 3, 1918 - Corporal JOHN HENRY PRUITT
USMC. Born: 4 October 1896, Fayettesville,
Ark. Accredited to: Arizona. (Also received Army
Medal of Honor.) Citation: For extraordinary
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call
of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th
Regiment, 2nd Div, in action with the enemy at Blanc
Mont Ridge, France, October 3, 1918. Cpl.
Pruitt, single-handed attacked 2 machine guns,
capturing them and killing 2 of the enemy. He then
captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This
gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by
shellfire while he was sniping the enemy.
|
|
Medal
of Honor - October 3, 1918 - Private
JOHN JOSEPH KELLY USMC, 78th Company, 6th
Regiment. Born: 24 June 1898, Chicago, Ill.
Accredited to: Illinois. (Also received Army
Medal of Honor.) Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the
call of duty while serving with the 78th Company,
6th Regiment, 2nd Div, in action with the enemy at
Blanc Mont Ridge, France, October 3, 1918.
Pvt. Kelly ran through our own barrage a hundred
yards in advance of the front line and attacked an
enemy machine gun nest, killing the gunner with a
grenade, shooting another member of the crew with
his pistol, and returning through the barrage with
8 prisoners.
|
Chapter XIV.
THE MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE - CROSSING THE MEUSE RIVER.
On October 25,
1918, the brigade moved to the Les Islettes area with brigade
headquarters at Camp Cabaud. On the evening of October 26,
1918, it arrived in the area south of Exermont and bivouacked
in the woods there that night with brigade headquarters at
Exermont. The brigade remained in bivouac in this area until
the night of October 30-31, 1918, when it moved forward into
line to participate in the immense Meuse-Argonne offensive
(X7) which had started on September 26, 1918,
the Second Division being assigned as a unit of the Fifth
Corps.
Relieving
elements of the Forty-Second Division, just south of
Landres-et-St.-Georges, the Marine Brigade early on the
morning of November 1, 1918, jumped-off, following a terrific
barrage, for its final operation of the war, the conclusion of
which at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, 1918, found
the Marines firmly established on the heights of the far bank
of the Meuse River, after an advance of 30 kilometers.
The splendid
work of the Second Division, including the Marines, is
described in official reports, and excerpts from some are
given below.
In recommending
that the Second Division be cited in General Headquarters
Orders for its excellent work in the attack of November 1-11,
1918, the commanding general, First Army, wrote on January 16,
1919, in part, as follows:
4.
In the First Army attack of November 1, 1918, the Second
Division was selected and so placed in the battle line that
its known ability might be used to overcome the critical part
of the enemy's defense. The salient feature of the plan of
attack was to drive a wedge through Landres-et-St. Georges to
the vicinity of Fosse. It was realized that if the foregoing
could be accomplished the backbone of the hostile resistance
west of the Meuse would be broken and the enemy would have to
retreat to the east of the Meuse. Success in this plan would
immediately loosen the flanks of the First Army. The Second
Division was selected to carry out this main blow.
5.
The Second Division accomplished the results desired in every
particular on the first day of the attack, not only clearing
the hostile defenses of Landres-et-St. Georges an the Bois de
Hazios but continuing its advance to the vicinity of Fosse, i.
e., about 9 kilometers. This decisive blow broke the enemy's
defense and opened the way for the rapid advance of the Army.
With reference
to the first day's attack, the commanding general, Fifth Army
Corps, wrote officially on November 2, 1918, in part as
follows:
The
division's
brilliant advance of more than 9 kilometers, destroying the
last stronghold on the Hindenburg Line, capturing the Freya
Stellung, and going more than 9 kilometers against not only
the permanent but the relieving forces in their front, may
justly be regarded as one of the most remarkable achievements
made by any troops in this war. For the first time, perhaps,
in our experience the losses inflicted by your division upon
the enemy in the offensive greatly exceeded the casualties of
the division. The reports indicate moreover that in a single
day the division has captured more artillery and machine guns
than usually falls to the lot of a command during several days
of hard fighting. These results must be attributed to the
great dash and speed of the troops, and to the irresistible
force with which they struck and overcame the enemy.
The following
citation in Fifth Army Corps General Orders No. 26, dated
November 20, 1918, gives a further description of these
operations:
The
Second Division, in line at the launching of the attack, broke
through the strong enemy resistance, and, leading the advance,
drove forward in a fast and determined pursuit of the enemy,
who, despite new divisions hastily thrown in, was driven back
everywhere on its front. This division drove the enemy across
the Meuse, and under heavy fire and against stubborn
resistance, built bridges and established itself on the
heights. The cessation of hostilities found this division
holding strong positions across the Meuse and ready for a
continuation of the advance.
An order of the
Second Division, dated November 5, 1918, reading in part as
follows, tells what occurred subsequent to the first day's
attack:
During
the night of November 2-3 the Second Division moved forward
overcoming the resistance of the enemy's advanced elements,
and at 6 a. m., it attacked and seized the enemy's line of
defense on the ridge southeast of Vaux-en-Dieulet.
Late
in the afternoon, the enemy, having reorganized his line on
the border of Belval Forest, was again attacked and defeated.
After nightfall and in a heavy rain, the advanced elements of
the division pressed forward through the forest, and occupied
a position on the heights south of Beaumont, 8 kilometers in
advance of the divisions on our right and left.
During
the night of November 4-5, the division again pressed forward,
occupied Beaumont and Letanne and threw the enemy on its front
across the Meuse.
An order of the
Second Division, dated November 12, 1918, describing the
historic crossing of the Meuse River on the night before the
armistice became operative, reads as follows:
1.
On the night of November 10, heroic deeds were done by heroic
men. In the face of a heavy artillery and withering machine
gun fire, the Second Engineers threw two foot bridges across
the Meuse and the first and second battalions of the Fifth
Marines crossed resolutely and unflinchingly to the east bank
and carried out their mission.
2.
In the last battle of the war, as in all others in which this
division has participated, it enforced its will on the enemy.
The commanding
general of the Fifth Army Corps has this to say about the
crossing of the Meuse by the Marines, who were assisted by the
Artillery, Engineers, and other troops of the Second Division:
Especially
I desire to commend the division for the crowning feat of its
advance in crossing the Meuse River in face of heavy
concentrated enemy machine gun fire, and in driving the
enemy's troops before it, and in firmly establishing itself
upon the heights covering the desired bridgehead. This feat
will stand among the most memorable of the campaign.
With reference
to the crossing of the Meuse River the American commander in
chief reported as follows:
On
the night of November 10, the Fifth Corps forced a crossing of
the Meuse against heavy enemy resistance between Mouzon and
Pouilly, and advanced to the Inor-Mouzon road with two
battalions holding the high ground northwest of Inor.
The general
success achieved by the Second Division in the Argonne-Meuse
offensive is well described by the words of the order citing
Maj. Gen John A. Lejeune, of the Marines, for an Army
distinguished service medal, reading in part as follows:
In
the Meuse-Argonne offensive his division was directed with
such sound military judgment and ability that it broke and
held, by the vigor and rapidity of execution of its attack,
enemy lines which had hitherto been considered impregnable.
During this
fighting the headquarters of the Fourth Brigade was
successively established at Exermont, one-half kilometer north
of Exermont, Sommerance, Bayonville-et-Chennery, Fosse,
Belval-Bois-des-Dames, and Beaumont.
The following
self-explanatory memorandum was sent out by the Commanding
General of the Fourth Brigade:
HEADQUARTERS
4TH
BRIGADE;
MARINES,
AMERICAN
E. F.,
11th
November
'18--8.40 a.m.
PEACE
MEMORANDUM
No. 1.
The
following telephone message received from SURPRISE 1 at 8.35
a. m. this morning forwarded for compliance.
8.40
a. m. message from 5th Corps; Armistice signed and takes
effect at 11 this morning. Accurate map showing locations of
front line elements, including patrols and detachments, will
be sent to these Headquarters without delay.
On "the
eleventh hour, the eleventh day of the eleventh month, of the
year 1918," Brig. Gen. Wendell C. Neville, commanding general
of the Fourth Brigade of Marines, published the following
tribute to the officers and men of the Fourth Brigade:
Upon
this, the most momentous hour in the history of the World War,
the undersigned wishes to express to his command his sincere
appreciation of their unfailing devotion to duty and their
heroic and courageous action during the recent operations.
The
time, when the results of our efforts during the past year are
shown, is here. The hour has arrived when the convulsion which
has shaken the foundations of the civilized world has ceased.
The enemy is defeated and the principles of freedom and
democracy have triumphed over barbarism and autocracy. We may
all feel justly proud of the extent of our participation which
has forced the enemy to a cessation of hostilities. It is
fitting, at this time, to think of those of our comrades who
have fallen on the field of honor and rejoice in the fact that
they did not give their lives in vain.
Your
display of fortitude, determination, courage, and your ability
to fight has upon more than one occasion been a determining
factor in making history, and your work has had a direct
bearing upon the remarkable chain of events which have this
day culminated in such a satisfactory manner. Along the fronts
of Verdun, the Marne, the Aisne, Lorraine, Champagne, and the
Argonne, the units of the Fourth Brigade Marines have fought
valiantly, bravely, and decisively. They have nobly sustained
the sacred traditions and have added glorious pages to the
already illustrious history of the United States Marine Corps.
It is a record of which you may all be proud.
Chapter XV.
MARCH TO THE RHINE-ARMY OF OCCUPATION-SUMMARY OF
OPERATIONS OF THE FOURTH BRIGADE.
March to the Rhine.
On November 17,
1918, the Second Division commenced its march to the Rhine,
passing through Belgium and Luxembourg. The German frontier
was reached November 25, 1918, crossed on December 1, 1918,
the Rhine reached December 10, 1918, and crossed on December
13, 1918. During this march and up to the time the Fourth
Brigade settled down to its occupation duty in Germany,
brigade headquarters were successively established at Margut,
Bellefontaine, Arlon, Usseldange, Berg, Eppeldorf, Neuerburgh,
Waxweiler, Prum, Budesheim, Wiesbaum, Antweiler, Neuenahr,
Burgbrohl, Rheinbrohl, and Honningen.
With the Army of Occupation.
The duties of
the Fourth Brigade with the Army of Occupation in Germany were
uneventful, the outstanding features being the establishment
of a Rhine River patrol, manned and commanded by Marines; an
extended visit, inspection, and review by the Secretary of the
Navy; and the operation of the Second Division, including the
Marines, made about the middle of June, 1919, in which an
advanced position was taken as a part of the concentration of
the Third Army immediately preceding the signing of the treaty
of peace by the Germans.
Headquarters of
the Fourth Brigade during the greater part of the occupation
of Germany was at Nieder Bieber, while during the last
operation when the advanced position was taken, just prior to
Germany signing the peace treaty, it was at Herschbach. On the
date the treaty was signed the Fifth Regiment, with
headquarters at Hatenfels, occupied the most advanced position
ever occupied by Marines in Germany.
Just before
departing from Germany headquarters was at Nieder Bieber, and
with the exception of Brest, France, this was the last
headquarters the brigade had in Europe.
Maj. Charles D.
Barrett relieved Lieut. Col. Earl H. Ellis as brigade adjutant
in April, 1919, and held that position until the brigade was
demobilized. Lieut. Col. Ellis was assigned to duty as second
in command of the Fifth Regiment. On March 12, 1919, Col.
Logan Feland was temporarily appointed brigadier general to
rank from March 9, 1919, and accepted appointment and executed
oath on March 17, 1919. On March 21, 1919, Col. Harold C.
Snyder assumed command of the Fifth Regiment, relieving Brig.
Gen. Logan Feland, who, after acting as aide for the Secretary
of the Navy, arrived in the United States on the VON STEUBEN
on May 13, 1919.
Just before the
Second Division left Germany the commanding general of the
Army of Occupation expressed his appreciation of the services
of that division in a letter dated July 2, 1919, which is
published in General Orders, Second Division, No. 68, July 5,
1919:
As
your magnificent division is about to leave his command, it is
with a sense of gratitude for its splendid achievments while
in the American Expeditionary forces that the army commander
expresses to you, and to your gallant officers and men his
appreciation of your services.
After
occupying
a defensive sector between Verdun and St. Mihiel, you were
placed in the line of battle and met, with stubborn
resistance, the onslaughts of the enemy's hordes near
Chateau-Thierry. Your action at Belleau Woods and your attack
upon and capture of Vaux must ever remain brilliant exploits
in our military history.
At
Soissons, side by side with a veteran French division, you
proved to our Allies the fighting value of the Army of the
United States, and at St. Mihiel, in the first great American
offensive, your prowess in attack was irresistible.
When
in October, 1918, the Allied High Command desired to reinforce
the French Army by American troops of great offensive worth,
by real "shock troops," you were loaned to Gen. Gouraud's
Fourth French Army arid delivered your famous assault on Blanc
Mont Ridge, releasing from German menace the historic city of
Rheims.
In
the closing phase of Meuse-Argonne operations, certainly no
troops contributed more to the enemy's destruction than your
division. After taking Landres-et-St. Georges,
Bayonnville-et-Chennery, and the Boise-de-la-Folie, you
pierced the Bois-de-Belval, and by skillful night fighting and
marching you cleared the enemy from the left bank of the Meuse
and forced a crossing of the river.
Your
brilliant
exploits in battle are paralleled by the splendid example of
soldierly bearing and discipline set by your officers and men
while a part of the Army of Occupation. That spirit and dash
which carried your men through the enemy's defense still
predominated when the Army was recently concentrated,
preparatory to a further advance into unoccupied Germany.
Officers
and soldiers of the Second Division, your achievments and
sacrifices have earned for you and for your fallen comrades
and praise and gratitude of our Nation
Summary of the Operations of the Fourth Brigade.
A summary of
the operations of the Fourth Brigade of Marines is set forth
below:
The Fourth
Brigade of Marines as a unit of the Second Division
participated in actual battle in France in the following
sectors between the inclusive dates set down (as published in
General Orders No. 37, Second Division, April 25, 1919):
Toulon
sector,
Verdun: From March 15 to May 13, 1918.
Aisne
defensive,
in the Chateau-Thierry sector: From May 31 to June 5, 1918.
Chateau-Thierry
sector
(capture of Hill 142, Bouresches, Belleau Wood): From June 6
to July 9, 1918.
Aisne-Marne
(Soissons)
offensive: From July 18 to July 19, 1918.
Marbache
sector,
near Pont-a-Mousson on the Moselle River: From August 9 to
August 16, 1918.
St.
Mihiel offensive, in the vicinity of Thiaucourt, Xammes, and
Jaulny: From September 12 to September 16, 1918
Meuse-Argonne(Champagne)
including
the capture of Blanc Mont Ridge and St. Etienne: From October
1 to October 10, 1918.
Meuse-Argonne
(including
crossing of the Meuse River): From November 1 to November 11,
1918.
Major Operations.
General
Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, ruled that the
Second Division, including the Fourth Brigade of Marines,
participated in only four major operations, the Aisne
defensive (May 31 to June 5, 1918); the Aisne-Marne offensive
(July 18 and 19, 1918); the St. Mihiel offensive (Sept. 12 to
16, 1918); and the Meuse-Argonne offensive (Oct. 1 to 10,
1918, and Nov. 1 to 10, 1918). The operations which resulted
in the capture of Blanc Mont and St. Etienne were construed to
be included in the Meuse-Argonne offensive despite the fact
that the operations were a part of the operations of the
Fourth French Army, far to the west of the western limit of
the American Meuse-Argonne sector and further that the work of
the Second Division was continued by another American
division. The operation which resulted in the capture of Hill
142, Bouresches, Bois de la Brigade de Marine, by the Marine
brigade, assisted by Artillery, Engineers, etc., of the Second
Division, and the capture of Vaux by the Third Brigade,
Engineers and Artillery of the Second Division, were held to
be local engagements rather than a major operation. The Second
Division suffered about 9,000 casualties in the
Chateau-Thierry sector.
In addition to
the above major operations, Marine Corps personnel, other than
that of the Fourth Brigade and Second Division, participated
in the Champagne-Marne defensive, the Oise-Aisne offensive,
and the Ypres-Lys offensive.
see
also
CASUALTIES
of the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS,
1917- 1921, by Name
and by
Date
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