Veterans Health Services

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Ten significant battles and monuments that highlight key moments in which the U.S. military was engaged during World War I:

1. Battle of Cantigny (1918) – The first major American battle and offensive in World War I, where the U.S. First Division successfully captured the village of Cantigny in France from German forces. This victory bolstered Allied morale.
   • Monument: The Cantigny American Monument in France commemorates the bravery of the U.S. soldiers during this battle.

https://armyhistory.org/the-battle-of-cantigny/

1. Battle of Belleau Wood (1918) – A fierce battle where U.S. Marines, alongside French forces, halted a German advance near Paris. The battle became a defining moment for the U.S. Marine Corps, earning them the nickname "Devil Dogs."
   • Monument: The Belleau Wood Memorial and Aisne-Marne American Cemetery honor the Marines and soldiers who fought there.

https://warontherocks.com/2018/06/the-importance-of-the-battle-of-belleau-wood/

1. Second Battle of the Marne (1918) – A pivotal Allied victory in which U.S. troops played a significant role in repelling the last major German offensive on the Western Front, marking a turning point in the war.
   • Monument: The Second Battle of the Marne Memorial at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery honors the contributions of U.S. forces.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_the_Marne

1. Meuse-Argonne Offensive (1918) – The largest and deadliest American-led offensive of the war, part of the final Allied push that led to the end of World War I. U.S. forces, under General John Pershing, fought a brutal battle that helped break German lines.
   • Monument: The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, the largest American cemetery in Europe 

https://www.archives.gov/research/military/ww1/meuse-argonnee, honors those who fought in the offensive.

1. Battle of Saint-Mihiel (1918) – The first independent American operation, where U.S. forces successfully pushed back German troops from the Saint-Mihiel salient in northeastern France, demonstrating U.S. military capability.
   • Monument: The Montsec American Monument in France commemorates the American victory at Saint-Mihiel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saint-Mihiel

1. Battle of Château-Thierry (1918) – U.S. forces played a key role in stopping the German advance at Château-Thierry, preventing them from reaching Paris. It was a crucial battle during the larger Second Marne offensive.
   • Monument: The Château-Thierry American Monument honors the U.S. troops who fought in this battle and throughout the Marne sector.

https://www.historyonthenet.com/battle-of-chateau-thierry

1. Battle of Soissons (1918) – A successful Franco-American assault on German positions during the Second Battle of the Marne. This battle helped solidify the role of U.S. forces in turning the tide of the war.
   • Monument: The Soissons Memorial, located near the battlefield, commemorates the Allied victory and the American soldiers who participated.

https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2005/december/leathernecks-soissons

1. Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge (1918) – U.S. forces, alongside the French, captured the Blanc Mont Ridge, which was a key German defensive position. This victory further weakened German forces in the Champagne region.
   • Monument: The Blanc Mont American Monument stands on the ridge to commemorate the U.S. troops' success.

https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/the-us-2nd-division-at-blanc-mont-ridge-by-major-general-by-david-t-zabecki/

1. Battle of Hamel (1918) – A smaller but significant battle where U.S. troops fought alongside Australian forces in a coordinated attack that demonstrated the importance of combined arms and tactical innovation.
   • Monument: The Hamel Memorial in France honors the cooperation between American and Australian forces during this battle.

https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/1918/battles/hamel

1. The Somme Offensive (1918) – U.S. forces participated in the final Allied offensive along the Somme River in the later stages of the war, contributing to the eventual German defeat and armistice.
   • Monument: The Somme American Cemetery and Memorial honors the American soldiers who fought and died in this critical region.

https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/battle-somme

These battles and monuments reflect the significant contributions of the U.S. military in World War I and their role in key Allied victories that ultimately led to the end of the war.