Over There: America in WWI

11/12/2019

10/23/2019

THANK YOU! You donated a total of $8,442 for display cabinets! That is enough for 2 cabinets with a good start on a 3rd one! We are so excited and thankful for all of the generous donations which will help us keep veterans' stories alive. The first Brazos Valley Gives is now in the books! What a great start to an annual Giving Tuesday in the Brazos Valley!

10/23/2019

There is still time to give! Can you help us reach $7000 to fully fund 2 display cabinets?

https://www.brazosvalleygives.org/americangimuseum

WOW! Thank you to all who have donated during Brazos Valley Giving Day! There is still time to give (on-line gifts accepted until 11PM)! Can you help us get to $7000 so we can fully fund 2 display cabinets? Every dollar helps. A $10 donation will last longer than that trip to Starbucks or popcorn/drinks at the movie!
To give go to: https://www.brazosvalleygives.org/americangimuseum

10/22/2019

Please consider making a donation to the Museum of the American G.I. today during Brazos Valley GIves. Donations will be accepted online all day. If you want to time your gift send in your donation from 11 am to 12 pm - we are trying for the "Love Where you Live!" hour prize, send in your donation from 11 am to 12 pm.

Thank you for supporting us as we trying to "bring history alive"!

To give: go to https://www.brazosvalleygives.org/ type "Museum of the American GI" into the search bar

Tomorrow is the day! We are asking for your support during Brazos Valley Gives Tuesday Oct 22! Donations will be accepted online all day long tomorrow, but if you'd like to help us win the "Love Where you Live!" hour prize, send in your donation from 11 am to 12 pm. Give where you live on your lunch break! If we reach our goal tomorrow, we can fund our upstairs display cases and finally finish the entire inside of our museum. We are so close! Any and every donation counts, and we thank you greatly for your support. To schedule your donation, click here and type "Museum of the American GI" into the search bar: brazosvalleygives.org

06/13/2019

German trenches of Saint-Baussant

06/13/2019

The village of Filrey was caught between the invading Germans and the retreating French during WWI. As a result of artillery shelling, the village was destroyed during the battle. Its remains stand as a testament to the stark realities of war.

06/13/2019

The Montsec Monument commemorates the achievements of more than 500,000 American troops who were involved in the Saint Mihiel Offensive from Sept 12-15, 1918. The Saint Mihiel offensive was the first operation carried out by American Forces under complete control of an American Commander-in-Chief, Gen John J. Pershing

06/11/2019

The Texas to Bastogn Crew stopped at WW I trenches in the Saint-Mihiel Salient on June 11 -Bois Brule and Tranchee De La Soif.

06/11/2019

Tomorrow's Agenda for the Texas to Bastogne Crew

06/10/2019

The Verdun Memorial is a war memorial/museum to commemorate the Battle of Verdun, fought in 1916. It is situated on the battlefield, close to the destroyed village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont

06/10/2019

Butte de Vauquois

The village of Vauquois set on a large hill prior to WWI. In 1914 the Germans invaded the town and the villagers left. The hill was sought after by both the French and the German due to its strategic position. Rather than continuing "over the top" attacks, both sides used tunnels and mines in hopes of pushing the other side out. All that remains of the butte now is craters. It is estimated that the area is the grave of at least 8,000 missing soldiers. For more info: https://www.onetripatatime.com/butte-de-vauquois/

06/10/2019

Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial

The cemetery's official name, Aisne-Marne, refers to the Aisne-Marne offensive which took place between May and October 1918, mainly in the south of the Aisne department and the west of the Marne department. Of the 2,289 graves in the cemetery, 250 contain the bodies of unidentified service personnel.

The chapel was built above the trenches on the front line dug by the 2nd American Division to defend Belleau Wood after it was captured on 25 June 1918.

06/10/2019

Texas to Bastogne 2019 visited Fort Douaumont

Fort Douaumont was the largest fort which protected the city of Verdun. It fell to the Germans on Feb. 25 1916. It was finally recaptured by the French during the First Offensive Battle of Verdun on October 24, 1916.

06/10/2019

Some of the Texas to Bastogne 2019 Crew walked around Verdun today.

01/30/2019

In case you missed it the first time, you have another chance to see this great documentary! Opening Feb 1. We saw it in December - it is a must see in 3D. Absolutely stunning! Check your local theaters for times or fandango to find a theater near you. https://www.fandango.com/they-shall-not-grow-old-216914/movie-overview

U.S. Readers have one more chance to see Peter Jackson's "They Shall Not Grow Old" on the big screen--Beginning 1 February 2019. Warner Bros., the worldwide distributor, will be releasing it for regular engagements on 1 February in 150 markets and in approximately 500 theaters.

This film vividly tells the experience of the average British Tommy on the Western Front in WW1 by marrying original BBC film footage and oral histories with modern technology; creating a more pleasant viewing experience for the non-historian.

The film had an initial limited release on 17 and 27 December, but it proved so popular that Fathom Events released it for a third day on 21 January. Over those three days it grossed $8.3 million, smashing the record for the highest-grossing U.S. Event Cinema release to date. Fathom is a joint-venture owned by the three largest U.S. cinema operators.

In light of its popularity, Warner Bros. is releasing it again, as outlined in the first paragraph. For locations look on sites such as Fandango. Be sure to stay to the end for the interview with Peter Jackson.

01/01/2019

Wishing everyone a peaceful 2019!

11/27/2018

Together We Win! Will you help the Museum of the American G.I. on this ? Everything we do is to honor our veterans and the sacrifices they have made to keep this country great. Your donation will helps us as we preserve US Military history for the current and future generations. Thank you for helping us to keep history alive!

11/22/2018

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

11/14/2018

The Museum of The American GI's original French Renault in action on the 100th Anniversary of Armistice at our special program - Armistice Day 1918-2018 on Sunday November 11, 2018.

The Museum of the American G.I.'s original French Renault (FT 17) at our Armistice Day 1918-2018 "Over the Top" Battle Reenactment on November 11, 2018.

11/12/2018

Previously unknown places such as Belleau Wood, Meuse-Argonne, and Saint Mihiel were etched into the minds of Americans through newspaper reports of battles. Although the United States participated in the conflict for less than two years, it was a costly event. More than 100,000 Americans lost their lives during this period. Then with the signing of a document it was over. Thank you for helping us commemorate this historic event.

"Some wars name themselves. This is the Great War." * November 1918 The Meuse-Argonne Offensive - It rained and rained and rained some more. The weather was cold and miserable. The war had been raging across Europe since 1914. More than nine million men killed in combat, and another twenty-one million wounded, many left without limbs or with facial deformities. Over 7 million civilians had also died. Finally at 11 am on Nov 11, 1918 the four years of killing and massacre stopped. According to Edwin L. James it was “as if God had swept His omnipotent finger across the scene of world carnage and cried, ‘Enough!’ ”.

What followed was quiet.

The weather set the tone and took us back to 1918 during Armistice Day 1918-2018. Thank you for for helping us commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day.

*Maclean's magazine (Canada) October 1914

Edwin L. James was a correspondent for Times Magazine

Photo courtesy of Glen Vigus

10/30/2018

Feel the power of a WWI cannon! Participants will get to shoot off one blank, experiencing the force of this amazing piece of artillery. At Armistice Day 1918-2018 on Nov 10 & 11!
*$40/round (Tax deductible donation with proceeds going to maintaining the museum’s collection)
* limited number of rounds available per day

For More Information: http://americangimuseum.org/events/eventsarmistice-day-1918-2018/

10/11/2018

11 October, 1918. To the officers and men of the 2nd Division "you held the ground gained with a tenacity which is unsurpassed in the annals of war."

11 October 1918 - the German Armies East and West of Rheims are in full retreat

To the Officers and Men of the Second Division: "It is beyond my power of expression to describe fitly my admiration for your heroism. You attacked magnificently and you seized Blanc Mont Ridge, the key stone of the arch constituting the enemy's main position. You advanced beyond the ridge, breaking the enemy's lines, and you held the ground gained with a tenacity which is unsurpassed in the annals of war.

As a direct result of your victory, the German Armies East and West of Rheims are in full retreat, and by drawing on yourselves several German Divisions from other parts of the front, you greatly assisted the victorious advance of the Allied Armies between Cambrai and St. Quentin.

Your heroism and the heroism of our comrades who died on the battlefield will live in history forever, and will be emulated by the young men of country for generations to come.

To be able to say when this war is finished ' I belonged to the 2nd Division, I fought with it at the battle of Blanc Mont Ridge' will be the highest honor that can come to any man." JOHN A. LEJEUNE, Major General, U.S.M.C.

From the archives of the Museum of The American GI

10/08/2018

Walter S. Fant, Jr received his second French Croix de Guerre with Gilt Star for action action at St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918.

10/08/2018

Walter Fant's Silver Star Citation for his actions on Oct 8, 1918 at at St. Etienne, France

Second Lieutenant Walter S. Fant, Jr
Silver Star Citation
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING World War I

CITATION:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant Walter S. Fant, Jr. (MCSN: 0-2343), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Fant distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at St. Etienne, France, 8 October 1918, and by his brilliant leadership.

Walter Fant received 3 Siver Star Citations for his service in WWI. Two of the citations are on display at the Museum of the American G.I.

10/08/2018

October 8, 1918 - Battle of Blanc Mont / St. Etienne Day 5. On Day 5 of the Battle of Blanc Mont / St. Etienne, the mission of the 76th Company 1st Battalion 6th Regiment Marines was to take the remainder of the town of St Etienne and hold it. At 6AM two platoons, led by Lt. Walter Fant and Lt Gaspar, along with one platoon of the 73rd machine gun Company attacked the town from the west. Attacking from the south and east were the platoons from the 102nd French Infantry and the 84th Company 3rd Battalion 6th Marines. After clearing the town, 76th company established a line of defense in a system of trenches north of St. Etienne. However, there was a gap on their right flank as the “attaching units never reached our line of defense north and east of St Etienne on our right”. At 9 PM the Germans attacked the weak point on the right flank “which was entirely open for pe*******on through ravine”. But the gap was closed by the 76th Company and the Germans were routed “with severe losses capturing several prisoners”. Finally, the 76th Company was reinforced by two Companies of 2nd Division engineers. The reinforced line was able to block a German counter attack occurring on Oct 9 at 7:30 AM. The allied defensive lines around St. Etienne were consolidated about noon on October 9. At 3:30 AM Oct 10, 1918, the 76th Company 1st Battalion 6th Marines turned the defense of St. Etienne over to a company organized from the 142nd Infantry under the command of Captain Johnson.

Both Lt. Walter Fant and Lt Gaspar received Silver Star Citations for their gallantry in action while serving with the 76th Company, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 8 October 1918, at St. Etienne, France,

10/08/2018

Battle of Blanc Mont: October Oct. 3 to Oct. 27, 1918
"If this ridge can be taken, the Germans will be obliged to retreat along the whole front." General Henri Gouraud, Commander, 4e Armee

Blanc Mont was in a crucial area north east of Reims and north of Chauteu Thierry and Belleau Woods. This area was important for Allied communications and transportation between Paris and Reims. The Germans had held Blanc Mont for 4 years (since 1914) and had heavily fortified the ridge with a maze of concrete bunkers, redoubts and machine gun emplacements. The AEF's 2nd Division and 36th Division was assigned to support the French 4th army to retake Blanc Mont and St. Etienne.

The 2nd division’s attack against Blanc Mont Ridge began on October 3. In the museum’s archives we have the Report of Operations of the 76th Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment outlining the company’s action between September 30th and October 10th, 1918.

As per Order of Battle, the 76th Company went “over the top” supporting the 80th Company 2nd Battalion 6th Regt Marines at 5:50 AM on the morning of October 3. The 80th company 2nd Battalion had be held up on their right flank by machine gun on the ridge south of the main road (Mont Banc). The 76th Company, aided by 11 French Renaults, moved through the 2nd Battalion lines toward their Regimental objective routing machine gun nests while taking prisoners. They reported heavy resistance from German machine guns and “one Four-inch field piece firing point blank into our lines”. Two hours after going over the top, they reached their final Regimental objective for the day. During the fighting they captured “several machine guns, two anti tank rifles, one four inch field piece and seven of its crew, two German trench mortars and eighteen prisoners”. The 76th Company dug in south of the Main road leading to Mont Blanc hold this position until 2 AM the morning of Oct 6th.

French Field Marshal Philippe Pétain later said, “The taking of Blanc Mont is the single greatest achievement of the 1918 campaign.”

09/30/2018

A peak at the Maxim! This is also on display.

09/30/2018

A great looking gun! We have two that we will be able to use during WWI reenactments. One is on display at the museum!

09/30/2018

Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day in the United States is observed on the last Sunday in September. The United States Congress recognizes this as the day when America honors surviving parents and families of fallen service members – specifically those who died during active duty. The term “Gold Star” originated during World War I when Americans displayed flags in their homes, businesses, schools, and churches with a blue star for each of their family members serving in the military. If any of those family members died during their military service, the family would stitch a gold star over the blue star in honor of their fallen loved ones. In 1918 President Woodrow Wilson approved the wearing of black arm bands bearing a gilt star by those who had a family member who died in the military service to the United States.

American Gold Star Mothers. Inc. was incorporated in 1929, obtaining a federal charter from Congress, and began with 25 mothers living in the Washington DC area and soon expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the nation. On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day, a holiday observed each year by a presidential proclamation. Each year on Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day the President of the United States calls on all Americans to display the nation’s flag and hold appropriate meetings to publicly express their love, sorrow, and reverence towards Gold Star Mothers and their families.

09/19/2018

Early training with Gas Masks. A skill new to the soldiers of of WWI.

This clip shows various scenes of US troops training for chemical warfare and the use of gas masks. This was a completely new concept as the U.S. entered WWI...

09/14/2018

September 12-15, 1918 - The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was the first American Led offensive of WWI. This battle is the documented use of the terms D-Day and H-Hour by the US Army. In Field Order Number 9, First Army, American Expeditionary Forces, dated 7 September 1918: "The First Army will attack at H hour on D day with the object of forcing the evacuation of the St. Mihiel Salient."