Overview of Ceremony at St. Mihiel American Cemetery.

WWI Centennial Commissioners Participate in Centennial Events for St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives Honoring those who fought in two of the largest battles in U.S. military history

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission

This week is the 100th Anniversary of two of the largest battles ever in U.S. military history, the St. Mihiel Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, of World War I. 

Ceremonies in France marked the occasion, and six Commissioners from the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission (WW1CC) were able to attend and participate. 

The St. MIhiel battle was fought from 12–15 September 1918, involving some 550,000 troops from the the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) and 110,000 French troops, all under the command of General John J. Pershing of the United States against German positions at the St. Mihiel salient. The battle was a success for the Americans, but they lost some 4,500 people killed, and 5,500 wounded.

The Meuse Argonne Offensive remains the largest single battle in U.S. military history. It involved 1,200,000 American troops, over a thousand aircraft, and nearly 400 tanks. The fighting lasted for 47 days, and would eventually lead to the end of the war. However, this success came at enormous human cost. Some 26,277 Americans were killed, making it the most lethal battle in U.S. history, as well.

Ceremonies at the American Cemeteries in St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne marked the centennial, and honored the men and women buried there. These special events were hosted by the American Battle Monuments Commission, and also involved the U.S. Defense Department.

WW1CC Commissioners Monique Seefried, Jack Monahan, Debra Anderson, Zoe Dunning, and Libby O'Connell joined WW1CC Vice Chair Edwin Fountain in several days of official calls, tours, and ceremonies, throughout the area of France where the fighting took place. The largest ceremonies took place at the two American Cemeteries.

The St. Mihiel ceremonies included a joint parade, with both American and French military members, a wreath-laying ceremony, and a military concert.

The Meuse Argonne events included a wreath-laying, the reading of names of the fallen, and the lighting of luminary candles for the graves.

Commissioners pose for a group photo with the Maire of Verdun at the Verdun City Hall. (from left: Commissioner Jack Monahan, Commissioner Debra Anderson, Commissioner Libby O'Connell, and Commissioner Monique Seefried. Third from right: Commissioner Zoe Dunning. At right: Commission Vice Chair Edwin Fountain. 

 Commissioner Monique Seefried participates in a tree-planting in Pershing Park, Montfaucon, France.

 Commissioners Zoe Dunning, Jack Monahan (and his wife), and Monique Seefried, view inscriptions describing the battle at the Montsec American Memorial.

Commissioner Jack Monahan (front left) during St. Mihiel ceremony