21ST ARMY CORPS, July 17, 1918. 170TH DIVISION, General BERNARD, Commanding par interim the 170th Division. To the Commanding General of the 42nd U. S. Inf. Division. The Commanding General of the 170th Infantry Division desires to express to the Commanding General of the 42nd U. S. Infantry Division his keen admiration for the courage and bravery of which the American Battalions of the 83rd Brigade have given proof in the course of the hard fighting of the 15th and 16th of July, 1918, as also for the effectiveness of the artillery fire of the 42nd U. S. Infantry Division. In these two days the troops of the United States by their tenacity, largely aided their French comrades in breaking the repeated assaults of the 7th Reserve Division, the 1st Infantry Division and the Dismounted Cavalry Guard Division of the Germans: these latter two divisions are among the best of Germany. According to the order captured on the German officers made prisoner, their Staff wished to take Chalon-sur-Marne on the evening of July 16th, but it had reckoned without the valor of the American and French combatants, who told them with machine gun, rifle and cannon shots that they would not pass. The Commanding General of the 170th Infantry Division is therefore particularly proud to observe that in mingling their blood gloriously on the Battlefield of Champagne, the Americans and the French of today are continuing the magnificent traditions established a century and a half ago by Washington and Lafayette; it is with this sentiment that he salutes the Noble Flag of the United States in thinking of the final Victory. BERNARD. 21ST ARMY CORPS Hq., July 19, 1918. GENERAL ORDER At the moment when the 42nd American Division is on the point of leaving the 21st Army Corps, I desire to express my keen satisfaction and my sincere thanks for the service which it has rendered under all conditions. By its valor, ardor and spirit, it has very particularly distinguished itself on July 15th and 16th in the course of the great battle where the 4th Army broke the German offensive on the CHAMPAGNE front. I am proud to have had it under my orders during this period; my prayers accompany it in the great struggle engaged in for the Liberty of the World. GENERAL NAULIN, Commanding the 21st Army Corps. 6TH ARMY P. C., July 26, 1918. NOTE. The PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, in the course of a visit to the 6th Army, expressed his satisfaction over the results obtained, as well as for the qualities of valor and perseverance manifested by all units of the Army. The Commanding General of the 6th Army, is happy to transmit to the troops of his Army the felicitations of the PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC. Signed: GENERAL DEGOUTTE. July 28, 1918. From: Commanding General, 1st Army Corps, Am. E. F. To: Commanding General, 42nd Division, Am. E. F.