upon it. Its
management and its personnel have been exceptionally efficient and
deserve every possible commendation.

As to the more technical services, the able personnel of the Ordnance
Department in France has splendidly fulfilled its functions, both in
procurement and in forwarding the immense quantities of ordnance
required. The officers and men and the young women of the Signal Corps
have performed their duties with a large conception of the problem, and
with a devoted and patriotic spirit to which the perfection of our
communications daily testifies. While the Engineer Corps has been
referred to in another part of this report, it should be further stated
that the work has required large vision and high professional skill, and
great credit is due their personnel for the high proficiency that they
have constantly maintained.

Our aviators have no equals in daring or in fighting ability, and have
left a record of courageous deeds that will ever remain a brilliant page
in the annals of our army. While the Tank Corps has had limited
opportunities, its personnel has responded gallantly on every possible
occasion, and has shown courage of the highest order.

The Adjutant General's Department has been directed with a systematic
thoroughness and excellence that surpassed any previous work of its kind.
The Inspector General's Department has risen to the highest standards,
and throughout has ably assisted commanders in the enforcement of
discipline. The able personnel of the Judge Advocate General's
Department has solved with judgment and wisdom the multitude of difficult
legal problems, many of them involving questions of great international
importance.

It would be impossible in this brief preliminary report to do justice to
the personnel of all the different branches of this organization, which I
shall cover in detail in a later report.

The navy in European waters has at all times most cordially aided the
army, and it is most gratifying to report that there has never before
been such perfect co-operation between these two branches of the service.

As to the Americans in Europe not in the military service, it is the
greatest pleasure to say that, both in official and in private life, they
are intensely patriotic and loyal, and have been invariably sympathetic
and helpful to the army.

Finally, I pay the supreme tribute to our officers and soldiers of the
line. When I think of their heroism, their patience