Now all roads lead to France and heavy is the tread
Of the living; but the dead returning lightly dance.
Edward Thomas, Roads

Monday, September 10, 2018

Pershing's 100




Shortly after the Armistice, Secretary of War Newton Baker requested the AEF Commander to send a number of accounts of Doughboy heroism in the war. It seems funds still had to be raised to pay for the nation's victorious effort. Pershing's staff compiled "A List of One Hundred Individual Acts of Extraordinary Heroism Performed by Officers and Soldiers of the American Expeditionary Forces." When the document was published in the Ladies' Home Journal as a series during the summer of 1919, it was given the title "Pershing's 100." 

The list covers the ground forces only; naval personnel, aviators, and specialized branches like the Signal Corps appear to be neglected, as are some famous names like Alvin York. The 100 list was obviously rushed, but it provides a broad at the combat experiences of the Doughboys who were on the front line. The entire document can be found with the other resources on the members of the AEF on the "Second Army" page of our Doughboy Center website, . (PERSHING'S 100 LINK)

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