The U.S. mobilized more than 4,000,000 troops, over 2,000,000 of whom were sent to battlefields in France, under the command of Major General John J. Pershing. The war effort inspired high patriotic fervor and vicious campaigns against pacifists, radicals, and citizens of German origin. The addition of America's forces to the war effort ended a bloody stalemate, and the fighting came to an end with the Armistice of November 11, 1918. More than 50,000 Americans lost their lives. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division .
Promotional statements describe it as the first recording made on a battlefield.
Its novelty, combined with its patriotic message from America's military leader, made the recording an instant success. From the Battlefields of France. A lawyer by training, James Gerard sat on the New York Supreme Court from 1908-1913. His generous financial support of the Democratic party during the presidential campaign of 1912 led President Woodrow Wilson to reward him with an ambassadorship. He served in this position until 1917.