by the American method
of the rush and the bayonet, and in the days that followed every foot of
Belleau Wood was cleared of the enemy and held by the frayed lines of
the Americans.

It was, therefore, with the feeling of work well done that the depleted
lines of the marines were relieved in July, that they might be filled
with replacements and made ready for a grand offensive in the vicinity
of Soissons, July 18. And In recognition of their sacrifice and bravery
this praise was forthcoming from the French:

Army Headquarters, June 30, 1918.

In view of the brilliant conduct of the Fourth Brigade of the Second
United States Division, which in a spirited fight took Bouresches and
the important strong point of Bois de Belleau, stubbornly defended by a
large enemy force, the General commanding the Sixth Army orders that
henceforth, in all official papers, the Bois de Belleau shall be named
"Bois de la Brigade de Marine."

Division General Degoutte,

_Commanding Sixth Army_.

On July 18 the marines were again called into action in the vicinity of
Soissons, near Tigny and Vierzy. In the face of a murderous fire from
concentrated machine guns, which contested every foot of their advance,
the United States marines moved forward until the severity of their
casualties necessitated that they dig in and hold the positions they had
gained. Here, again, their valor called forth official praise.

Then came the battle for the St. Mihiel salient. On the night of
September 11 the 2d Division took over a line running from Remenauville
to Limey, and on the night of September 14 and the morning of September
15 attacked, with two days' objectives ahead of them. Overcoming the
enemy resistance, they romped through to the Rupt de Mad, a small river,
crossed it on stone bridges, occupied Thiaucourt, the first day's
objective, scaled the heights just beyond it, pushed on to a line
running from the Zammes-Joulney Ridges to the Binvaux Forest, and there
rested, with the second day's objectives occupied by 2.50 o'clock of the
first day. The casualties of the division were about 1,000, of which 134
were killed. Of these, about half were marines. The captures in which
the marines participated were 80 German officers, 3,200 men, ninety-odd
cannon, and vast stores.

But even further honors were to befall the fighting, landing, and
building force, of which the navy is justly proud. In the early part of
October it became necessary for the Alli