CHRONOLOGY

1917
April 6	The US Congress declares war on Germany.
June 13	General John J. Pershing and staff leave London for France.
June 26	American 1st Division and 5th Marine Regiment land in France.
September–December	American 2nd, 26th, and 42nd divisions complete deployment to France.
1918
March 21	Germans begin Spring Offensive with Operation Michael.
April 20	German attack on American 26th Division at Seicheprey.
May 27	Germans launch Operation Blücher and drive French forces from Chemin des Dames.
May 28	American 1st Division attacks and captures village of Cantigny.
June 3	German drive to Paris stopped by 5th Marines at Les Mares Farm.
June 6–25	American 2nd Division captures Belleau Wood.
July 15–17	German Operation Rheims achieves minimal gains. American 3rd, 26th, 28th, and 42nd divisions engaged in stopping German offensive.
July 18 to August 6	French–American Aisne–Marne offensive. American 1st and 2nd divisions and French Moroccan Division spearhead assault near Soissons.
July 24	Allied conference at Bonbon finalizes American plan for offensive against St Mihiel salient.
August 10	Marshal Foch and General Pershing agree on the creation of an independent American army.
September 2	Pershing objects to Marshal Foch’s proposal to limit scale of St Mihiel offensive to prepare for Meuse– Argonne attack. Pershing agrees to scale back St Mihiel attack.
September 12	First US Army attacks St Mihiel salient. Germans initiate withdrawal from salient.
September 13	American 1st and 26th divisions meet at Vigneulles, cutting off tip of St Mihiel salient.
September 14	St Mihiel offensive ends. Select American units begin phased withdrawal and transfer to Meuse–Argonne.
October 2–9	American 2nd and 36th divisions assist Fourth French Army in offensive between Rheims and Argonne. The 2nd Division captures Mont Blanc.
September 26 to November 11	First US Army participates in the Meuse–Argonne offensive.