AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES,
Office of the Commander-in-Chief.
France, March 22, 1919.
Major General Clement A. F. Flagler,
Commanding 42nd Division,
American E. F.,
Ahrweiler, Germany.
My Dear General Flagler:
It afforded me great satisfaction to inspect the 42nd Division at Remagen on March 16th, during my trip through the Third Army, and to extend at that time to the officers and men my appreciation of their splendid record while in France.
The share which the 42nd Division has had in the success of our Armies should arouse pride in its achievements among all ranks. Arriving as it did on November 1, 1917, it was one of the first of our combat divisions to participate in active operations. After a period of training which lasted through the middle of February, 1918, it entered the Lunéville sector in Lorraine, and shortly afterwards took up a position in that part of the line near Baccarat. In July it magnificently showed its fighting ability in the Champagne-Marne defensive, at which time units from the 42nd Division aided the French in completely repulsing the German attack. Following this, on July 25th, the Division relieved the 28th in the Aisne-Marne offensive, and in the course of their action there captured La Croix Rouge Farme, Sergy, and established themselves on the northern side of the Ourcq. In the St. Mihiel offensive the division made a rapid advance of 19 kilometers, capturing seven villages. Later, during the Meuse-Argonne battle, it was twice put in the line, first under the 5th Corps and second under the 1st Corps, at which later time it drove back the enemy until it arrived opposite Sedan on November 7th.
Since the signing of the armistice, the 42nd Division has had the honor of being one of those composing the Army of Occupation, and I have only words of praise for their splendid conduct and demeanor during this time. I want each man to realize the part he has played in bringing glory to American arms and to understand both my pride and the pride of their fellows throughout the American Expeditionary Forces in their record. My good wishes accompany your command on its return to the United States, and my interest will remain with its members in their future careers.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) John J. Pershing.
OFFICERS WHO SERVED IN THE 165TH INFANTRY