Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-15
PERSH|NGPRA|SES
EXPLOITS OF 18TH
Unique and Highly Priced Docu-
ment, Exception to Rule
of General
SPLENDID RECORD CITED
Iron Division Men Won Craft
tude Of All Allies, Com
mander Declares
SPLENDID RECORD CITED

Rarely does commander in chief
take the time TO detail the heroic ex-
ploits of division when commencing
its war record. but General Pershing
made an exception in the case of tho
Iron Division.
In letter written to Major General
William III. Hay. commander, General
Pershing. under date of March 81. paws
a splendid tribute to the PENNSYLVANIA
unit.
General Pershing's letter, most
unique document and one that is highly
priced, follows:
AMERICAN ENPEDITIONLRY
FORCES
omce OF the Commander in Chief,
Chaumont, March 81. 1919.
Ma jor General William II. Hay,
Commanding 2Sth Division,
American f. F.. France
My dear General Hay:
1t gives me a great deal OF pleas
ure to congratulate you and through
you the officers and men of YOUR di.
VISION on the splendid showing made
! at the inspection and review on
March 10 at Colombey les Bellies.
| Ihe appearance and equipment of the
troops and also the condition of the
animal transport of your division are
to be highly commended To me this
IS an indication of that same high
morale in your command which it
possessed while in the fighting line.
Arriving in the spring of 1918 for
training with the British, the period
of instruction of the Twenty eighth
Division was cut short, and by the
middle of July it was thrown into
the active battle to take part in the
successful Champagne Marne often
sive. For nearly two weeks the in
. fantry brigades operated under
French and other divisional COM
manders. taking part in the Aisne-
Marne offensive as reserve of the
Third Division, which was fighting
its way north from the river. On
the 2Sth, however. the division was
regrouped under its own commander
and from that time fought as a unit.
The Fifty fifth Brigade went into
French Division in front of Cierges
and the Bois de Grimpettes. where
after two days severe fighting the
| Ourcq River was crossed and the town
of Cierges was entered. On the night
of August 6 the division returned to
the battle in the Fismes sector along
the southern bank of the Nesle River.
From this time until its relief on the
night Of September Z by French
division it was continuously engaged
in small local fights. in the course of
which the river west of the Fismes
was crossed and the town of Fis-
mctte was occupied.
After a short period for resting
and reftting it entered the great
Meuse -Argonne offensive as the center
division of the First Corps. 1t at
tackled on the morning of the Goth,
and, until relieved on the night Of
advancing ten and one half kilometers
against strong enemy resistance and
capturing among other towns those of
Varennes and Apremont.
On October 16 it was again placed
in the line. this time in the Toul
sector near Thiaucourt. From this
position it attacked on November 10
and was advancing when hostilities
were suspended.
Tn view Of this record, the officers
and men of the Twenty eighth Divi-
sion may proudly carry home with
them the gratitude of the Allies with
whom they fought and the pride of
their fellows throughout our forces.
want them to know of my own ap-
probation of the part they have played
in the victories which are to the
credit of American arms.
Sincerely yours,
JOHN j. PERSHING.