General Order Number 238 from Chief of Staff James W. McAndrew

Clocking super (FOR OFFICIAL OIRCULATION ONLY.) G.O. 288.) 3. RECORDS "NATIONAL AND G. H. Q. or SERVICE* AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES, GENERAL ORDERS FRANCE, Dec. 26, 1918. No. 238. It is with soldierly pride that I record in General Orders a tribute to the taking of the St. Mihiel salient by the First Army. On September 12, 1918, you delivered the first concerted of- fensive operation of the American Expeditionary Forces upon difficult terrain against this redoubtable position, immovably held for four years, which crumpled before your ably executed advance. Within twenty-four hours of the commencement of the attack the salient had ceased to exist, and you were threaten- ing Metz. Your divisions, which had never been tried in the exacting conditions of major offensive operations, worthily emulated those of more arduous experience and earned their right to participate in the more difficult task to come. Your staff and auxiliary serv- ices, which labored so untiringly and so enthusiastically, deserve equal commendation, and we are indebted to the willing co- operation of veteran French divisions and of auxiliary units which the Allied commands put at our disposal. Not only did you straighten a dangerous salient, capture 16,000 prisoners and 443 guns, and liberate 240 square miles of French territory, but you demonstrated the fitness for battle of a unified American army. We appreciate the loyal training and effort of the First Army, In the name of our country, I offer our hearty and unmeasured thanks to these splendid Americans of the 1st, 4th and 5th Corps and of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 26th, 42nd, 82nd, 89th and 90th Divisions, which were engaged, and of the 3rd, 35th, 78th, 80th and 91st Divisions, which were in reserve. This order will be read to all organizations at the first assembly formation after its receipt. By COMMAND OF GENERAL PERSHING: JAMES W. McANDREW, Chief of Staff. OFFICIAL: ROBERT C. DAVIS, Adjutant General. A. e. PRINTING DapT., a. M. Q. A. M. F., 1918.