MAJOR-GENERAL C. P. SUMMERALL.
Commanding the 1st Division.
12th Artillery Regiment: “Supported the attack by the 2nd Division on July 18, S.W. of Soissons, with great audacity and ability. The guns were boldly advanced, closely following the French infantry and inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. After the relief of the infantry of the 2nd Division on July 20, they bravely fought with the 58th and 12th French divisions, supporting the infantry during the unceasing attacks by these divisions, and particularly during the attack against Hartennes on July 21. The officers and men of this regiment displayed a fine spirit of self-sacrifice, and by their bravery proved themselves worthy of their Army’s finest traditions.”
15th Artillery Regiment: “This regiment gave proof of remarkable ability and audacity in supporting the infantry of the 2nd Division S.W. of Soissons, on July 18, 1918. Boldly bringing up their guns immediately behind the infantry, they inflicted very severe losses on the enemy. The 2nd Division having been relieved on July 20, this regiment successively supported the French 58th and 12th Divisions, with which they fought most gallantly. During the incessant attacks by these two divisions and particularly in the attack on Hartennes on July 21. The officers and men of this regiment displayed indomitable courage and devotion, proving themselves worthy of the finest traditions of the American Army.”
17th Artillery Regiment: “With indefatigable energy and courage this regiment gallantly supported the 2nd Division in the attack of July 18, S.W. of Soissons. Always eager to push forward their guns, in spite of heavy enemy bombardment, it constantly overwhelmed the enemy by the violent destructive fire of its 6-in. guns. After the relief of the 2nd Division, this regiment, on July 20, remained in the line and gallantly fought with the French 58th and 12th Divisions. Officers and men displayed magnificent courage and energy in accomplishing all the missions entrusted to them during the unceasing attacks by the French divisions, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. In spite of dangers and privations of all sorts, they always showed remarkable tenacity and valour.”
4th and 5th Machine-Gun Battalions: “On the evening of July 18, 1918, near Vierzy, this battalion displayed exceptional courage and bravery in withstanding the attack by the enemy’s 3rd Brigade. Advancing with the attacking infantry waves the battalion, by adroit firing, crushed the German resistance and destroyed strongly defended nests of machine-guns, thereby giving effectual assistance to the infantry in the course of its brilliant attack. By consolidating and tenaciously holding the conquered objectives, in spite of strong German counter-attacks, the 4th Machine-Gun Battalion greatly contributed to the day’s success.”
6th Machine Gun Battalion: “Although greatly fatigued by a long journey in motor-lorries and by a night march over bad roads, this battalion rushed to the attack on July 18, 1918, near Vierzy and greatly helped in consolidating and maintaining the positions reached that day. On the morning of July 19 the battalion went gallantly forward over open ground, under violent artillery and machine-gun fire, resolutely supporting the attack on the reinforced enemy positions. Against strong enemy resistance and unceasing counter-attacks, the battalion displayed the finest courage in quickly consolidating and resolutely holding the important position just conquered by the infantry.”
| WITH GENERAL DEGOUTTE’S ARMY. | |
| 1st Corps | Major-General Hunter Liggett. |
| comprising: | |
| 167th French Division. | |
| 26th American“ | (see composition, p. 21). |
| 4th Division | Major-General George H. Cameron. |
| comprising: | |
| 7th Infantry Brigade | Brig.-Gen. B. A. Poore. |
| 8th““ | ““E. E. Booth. |