On May 28th, 1918, the Battle of Cantigny began. It’s was America’s first major battle and offensive of the Great War. The U.S 1st Division, the most experienced of the five American divisions then in France, was selected for the attack.

The objective of the attack was both to reduce a small salient made by the German army, and also to instill confidence among the French and British allies in the ability of the inexperienced American Expeditionary Force. (AEF)