The Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest battle ever in the history of the U.S. military, involved well over a million people, almost a thousand aircraft, and 400 tanks.The battle took a horrific human cost – over 122,000 American casualties.100 years later, the sacrifices will be remembered and honored by ceremonies in France, hosted by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) and supported by the U.S. Defense Department (DoD). Six commissioners of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission will participate in the commemorative events. Click here to read more about what is planned to honor those who fought and fell.

Writing in the Minnesota Star Tribune, Fritz Knaak  tells the detailed story of how U.S. soldiers achieved an almost impossible feat at horrific cost in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.  Viewing the battle through the lens of his grandfather's participation, he notes that "The long, long shadow cast by the Second World War and all that has happened since often obscure the sacrifices of the veterans of the First War, and the extraordinary accomplishment of the Army at the Battles of Meuse-Argonne." Click here to read the entire thoughtful essay, including his description of "what is still one of the great feats of American arms in history."

Sean Michael Dargan is a professional singer, songwriter, guitar player, and highland bagpiper, who lives in Madison Wisconsin. He has a deep interest in military history, and even was the piper for a British army reenacting group that portrayed WWI BEF units. Sean contacted us with an incredible story -- He and a group of his professional musician/professional artist/professional historian friends got together, and decided to mark the centennial of WWI, and the war's impact and relevance, in their own way. As a result, they created a remarkable series of multimedia shows that will take place in Madison this fall.They include art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, all culminating in a show entitled THE GREATEST WAR which will take place on Nov 11th.  We asked Sean a few questions about this remarkable project of his; click here to read the entire interview.

Australian and American troops fought side-by-side for the first time in July 1918 during World War I. Since then, the Diggers (Australians) and Doughboys (Americans) supported each other in every major military conflict, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Diggers and Doughboys: The Art of Allies 100 Years On features incredible artwork from the Australian War Memorial Collection illustrating the unique comradeship between the two countries. Click here to read more about the Diggers and Doughboys exhibition, open in Memory Hall at the Museum through Sunday, Nov. 11.

Michael Wilson is a visual artist, and a military veteran, who has created a remarkable new WWI-themed art exhibit that we previously wrote about, which will be showing at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, Iowa from September 15 – December 30, 2018. This work is endorsed as an official project of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, and the Iowa WWI Centennial Committee. One Man, One War, One Hundred Years commemorates the 100th anniversary of the World War One armistice through the service of one soldier – the artist’s Great Uncle Herbert Thordsen. Click here to read all about this incredible artistic project, and the family history that informs it.

The DH-4 "Liberty Plane" project to reconstruct the only remaining as delivered to the military DH4  in North America to flying status to commemorate those who flew her in World War 1, but also all military aviators who have served over the last 100 years, is getting closer to the sky. The lovingly restored DH4 made its debut at the EAA "Airventure" air show in Oshkosh, WI in July, and is being groomed forits  first flight in September. Click here to read an in-depth article about the DH4 "Liberty Plane" and the team who is bringing her back to the sky.

In September 7th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 88, Host Theo Mayer spoke with  Sarah Cureton, executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, and Veronica Calder, archivist at the New Jersey State Archives, about the New Jersey World War One Centennial Committee, its origins, its projects and programs for the last few years, and it's plans beyond the armistice.  Click here to read a complete transcript of the interview.

August 31st's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 87, was a look back at a truly exciting, and consequential, time in American history: the first week of September 1918. Host Theo Mayer took a look at some amazing domestic events from a hundred years ago, weaving together Labor Day, the unions, sedition, bombs, baseball, the Babe, and Butte, Montana, jumping into a centennial time machine to explore the war that changed the world. This Podcast was a home run -- click here to read a complete transcript of the entire episode.

The WW1 Centennial News Podcast is about WW1 THEN: 100 years ago this week, and it's about WW1 NOW: News and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.  

Available on our web site, iTunes, Google Play, Podbean, TuneIn, Stitcher Radio on Demand.  Spotify  listen on Youtube. New - Comment and ask questions via twitter @TheWW1podcast

Episode 89
Highlights: Saint Mihiel Offensive

Episode Setup | @02:50

Saint Mihiel Overview - Mike Shuster | @03:50

Military Stories: Saint Mihiel - Dr. Edward Lengel | @07:25

War in the Sky: Saint Mihiel | @13:05

On the homefront: Headlines in the news | @15:35

Commission News: Bullet updates | @19:25

International events update - Dr. Monique Seefried | @24:35

Alabamians in WWI - Nimrod Frazier | @30:25

100 Cities / 100 Memorials: Jacksonville, FL - Michele Luthin & Percy Rosenbloom | @36:10

WWI WarTech: The tank | @44:15

Articles & Posts: Dispatch highlights | @49:25

Centennial Social Media selections - Katherine Akey | @52:10

"Blessed are they that have the home longing"

The impeccable St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial in Thiaucourt, France is a solemn yet majestic tribute to the 4,153 military dead who perished in the St. Mihiel offensive in September1918. 

However, just after the war, to impose a message of victory and order on a landscape that had borne so much disruption and carnage was a formidable undertaking. 

This week at WWrite, Mark Facknitz, member of the Historical Advisory Board of the WWICC, tells the complicated story of the cemetery's conception and the various narratives the St. Mihiel memorial offered those who came to grieve their war dead. 

Read""Blessed are they that have the home longing": St. Michael, Pershing, Spiritualism, and Capt. Walker Beale."as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of one of American's largest battles in military history.

A man is only missing if he is forgotten.

Monday's MIA this week is Private Joseph Arto Monroe. The son of Joseph and Ida (Dantzeisen) Monroe of Noble Township, Indiana, Joseph Jr. was born July 1st, 1891. A farmer, he entered the service on September 5th, 1917 at Shelbyville, Indiana and was sent first to Camp Taylor, Kentucky and then Camp Shelby, Mississippi for training. He sailed for France on June 10th, 1918, landing in country 12 days later, where he was assigned to Company F, 165th Infantry of the famous 42nd ‘Rainbow’ Division, made up of various National Guard units from all across the United States. He wasn’t with them long however, as on June 30th, 1918, he was killed in action as his unit tried to cross the Ourcq River. New to the unit, he was a virtual unknown to them thus and no one could ever say what happened to him.

Would you like to help us solve this case?  Give 'Ten For Them' to Doughboy MIA and help us make a full accounting of the 4,423 American service personnel still listed as missing in action from WW1. Make your tax deductible donation now, with our thanks.

U.S. Army Woolen Blanket

Keep warm while showing your American pride with this classic green woolen U.S. Army blanket.

Still proudly Made in the USA by Woolrich, Inc., the oldest continuously operating woolen mill in the United States since 1830, the blankets were originally purchased by the U.S. military to supply our troops. Designed to be used by soldiers in the barracks, this Limited Edition blanket features a heat-marked “U.S.” emblem on the center and an exclusive fabric garment label commemorating the U.S. centennial of World War One. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item will help fund the National WW1 Memorial in Washington, D.C. Fabrics and Features: 66”W x 84” L; 24 oz. 65% wool/35% recycled wool. Overseamed at all four sides. Made in USA.

A Certificate of Authenticity as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial is included.

This and many other items are available as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial.

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