I shall keep them always in my soldier heart, their loyal memories, and particularly those of their distinguished commanders who have become my friends.
Colonel Quillet,
Commanding the I. D., 157.
About the same time the above was issued, General Goybet, Commanding Officer of the 157th French Division, sent out the following General Orders:
GENERAL ORDERS
On the 12th of December, 1918, the 371st and 372nd R. I. U. S. have been placed at the disposal of the American High Command.
With a deep feeling of emotion, on behalf of the 157th Division, and in my own personal name, I come to bid farewell to our brave comrades.
For seven months we have lived brothers in arms, partaking in the same activities, sharing the same hardships and the same dangers. Side by side we took part in the great Champagne Offensive which was to be crowned by a tremendous victory.
Never will the 157th Division forget the indomitable dash, the heroical rush of the American regiments up the Observatory Ridge and into the Plain of Monthois. The most powerful defenses, the most strongly organized machine-gun nests, the heaviest artillery barrages—nothing could stop them. These crack regiments overcame every obstacle with a most complete contempt for danger; through their steady devotion the Red Hand Division, for nine whole days of severe struggle, was constantly leading the way of the advance of the Fourth Army.
Officers, non-commissioned officers and men, I respectfully salute our glorious comrades who have fallen, and I bow to your colors, side by side with the flag of the 333rd Regiment of Infantry that have shown us the way to victory.
Dear Friends from America, when you will be back again on the other side of the ocean, don’t forget the Red Hand Division; our brotherhood has been cemented in the blood of the brave, and such bonds will never be destroyed.