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The Division was organized from elements of the Regular Army and Marines in France during the last three months of 1917. After a period of training with the division headquarters at Bourmont, Haute- Marne, from October 26, 1917, to March 16, 1918, the division entered the Verdun and Toul sectors with headquarters at Sommedieu. Constant patrolling and several enemy raids repulsed. On May 31st moved in to the Chateau-Thierry sector, passing from the 7th A. C. French to the 21st A. C. French as reserve. Went forward about June 1, 1918, to meet a strong enemy attack which had developed on the line west of Chateau-Thierry. The attack of June 3d and 4th was halted June 4th on the line west of Chateau-Thierry and the division advanced two kilometers in the neighborhood of Vaux and in the Belleau Woods, between June 6th and July 1st. The relief of the division was completed July 9th. On July 16th the division entred the sector south of Soissons and atacked on the morning of the 18th and again on the morning of the 19th,advancing a total distance of eleven kilometers after severe fighting. On July 20th the division moved into reserve position and left the sector. On August 9th the division entered the Marbach sector. This was a quiet sector. Relieved August 24th. Entered the line on the St. Mihiel salient, September 9th, withdrawing September 16th, after having advanced approximately nine kilometers. Entered the front line of the Blanc Mont sector near Somme Py under the French. Relieved October 27th. Entered Meuse-Argonne sector on October 30th and attacked November 1st, advancing to the Meuse. Relieved after declaration of armistice. The division had made an advance of twenty-nine kilometers. Formed part of Army of Occupation.
Some of the units of the division, as a part of the 1st Division, left the United States in June, 1917. The division captured 228 officers, 11,738 men, 343 pieces of artillery, 1,350 machine guns and made a total advance of sixty kilometers against resistance.
The units composing the division were the 9th and 23rd Inf., 5th and 6th Marine Corps regiments, 12th and 15th and 17th Art. Regts., 4th, 5th and 6th Machine Gun Bns., 2d Trench Mortar Battery, 1st Fld. Sig. Bn., 2nd Eng. Regt. And Train, 1st, 15th, 16th and 23d Amb. Cos. And Field Hospital (composing 2nd Sanitary Train).
Commanding Generals: Brig. Gen. Charles A. Doyon, U.S. Marine Corps to Oct. 24, 1917; Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy, Oct 15, 1917, to July 19, 1918; Brig. Gen. James Harbord, July 20 to Aug. 2, 1918; and Maj. Gen. John A. LeJeune Aug. 3 to Nov. 11, 1918.
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