The 4th of July 1918 for the AEF

The Fourth of July holiday is an occasion for the United States of America to celebrate and commemorate the birth of the nation. It is interesting to recall how this holiday was celebrated during the years America participated in World War I. The entry of the United States into the war provided a massive boost to the Allied powers and marked a significant moment in the conflict. In 1917, the earliest arriving new Doughboys paraded upon their arrival, most famously in Paris on 4 July, when the U.S. 16th Infantry provided men for the ceremonial event.

By the 4th of 1918, however, with America massively committed on the battlefields, excitement about the Yanks was heightened. In London, American soldiers and sailors played a baseball game with the King in attendance and participated in parades around the British Isles. But in Paris, a parade like the 1917 event was planned, but this time it would involve “blooded” American veterans of the recent fighting in France. Jointly marching with French Poilu units, American soldiers who had fought at Cantigny, Marine veterans of Belleau Wood, and a detachment of Red Cross nurses made up the U.S. contingent. They were led by an Army band, playing tunes like “Over There.” Notably, as part of the proceedings, a ceremony was held to mark the renaming of Avenue du President Wilson.

Read the entire article on the Roads to the Great War website here:

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