One hundred years later, French President Emmanuel Macron brought President Donald Trump a sapling from Belleau Wood, where, he said, “the blood of Americans was spilled to defend France.” Together, Macron and Trump planted the little tree on the grounds of the White House.
They saved it so the French could give it to the muslims.
Some years ago, I visited Belleau Woods and the trenches they fought in and around are still there. I found a long jagged fragment from an artillery round in one of those trenches and I still have it.
I was quite impressed this morning listening to the President in Paris - never before have I ever heard speakers saying thank you to so and so - and then the speaker actually says “Thank You” to them- in every moment this morning the President not only said we wish to thank, he then actually thanked the individual - what a wonderful touch he has.
Oh - eU rah to my fellow Marines at Bellau Wood -
For any historians of WW1, there are official Chemical Warfare Service/Office of the Chief Chemical Officer “Historians Background Files” which include individual reports on gas warfare at many key battles between US forces and the Germans, by LOCATION. However, most Battle histories, including Chateau Thierry (June 1918), and possibly Belleau Woods, Meuse Ardennes, etc. are found in Record Group 175,Finding Aid A1, Entry 7, Office of Chief Chemical Officer, Unclassified Central Files, 1940-62”, esp. Boxes 14 & 16 (often listed on the label as PUBLICATIONS, Misc., etc) and in other similar OCCO/CWS boxes throughout the Record Group. It is a hit or miss search if you don’t know exactly where they are).
These Yellow Covered battle histories are just thrown in a lot of these Entries/Boxes rather than being stored in separate boxes.
You will need to search not only the Gen. Correspondence files/Fed. Record Center-sized boxes), but also all the “Historian’s Background Files” in FA A1, including Entries 6- Historian’s Background Files 1922-1962”, and many of the Finding Aid PI-8 “Entries” for WW1, as well as FA UD-UP, Entry 8 “Historians Background Files 1942-54”, Entry 11 (HBF 1940-61”, Entry 12 (HBF 1917-71 and any other an archivist might suggest.
In other words, historical reports are scattered throughout RG 175, CWS/OCCO, from WW1 to later files. Good luck.
I’m in them now so if you are interested in the titles of the few reports I am finding, send me a request for information in the “Private Reply” mode. I’ll try to get them for you.
MM
On June 6, I commemorate the Battle of Belleau Wood, when the US Marines finally turned the tide of WWI. Seems a later battle fought on that day gets more attention.
They sacrificed their lives so Muslims can freely walk the streets of Paris.
Street View using google earth will let you take a virtual tour through the US cemetery at Belleau Wood.
“With the Help of God and a Few Marines”: The Battles of Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood
by Albertus W. Catlin
Really good read. Starts with Colonel Catlin as a young man in the Corps. Then progresses to the big fight.
Was it a good idea to save France twice?
5.56mm