Subject: Congratulations: 1. The return of the 42nd Division to the 1st Army Corps was a matter of self-congratulation for the Corps Commander, not only because of previous relations with the Division, but also because of the crisis which existed at the time of its arrival. 2. The standard of efficient performance of duty which is demanded by the Commander-in-Chief, American E. F., is a high one, involving as it does on an occasion such as the present complete self-sacrifice on the part of the entire personnel, and a willingness to accept cheerfully every demand even to the limit of endurance of the individual for the sake of the Cause for which we are in France. 3. The taking over of the front of the 1st Army Corps under the conditions of relief and advance, together with the attendant difficulties incident to widening the front, was in itself no small undertaking, and there is added to this your advance in the face of the enemy to a depth of five or more kilometers, all under cover of darkness, to the objective laid down by higher authority to be attained, which objective you were holding, regardless of the efforts of the enemy to dislodge you. The Corps Commander is pleased to inform you that the 42nd Division has fully measured up to the high standard above referred to, and he reiterates his self-congratulation that you and your organization are again a part of the 1st Army Corps., Am. E. F. (Signed) H. LIGGETT, Major General, U. S. A. 6TH ARMY P. C. August 9, 1918. GENERAL ORDER. Before the great offensive of the 18th of July, the American troops forming part of the 6th French Army distinguished themselves in capturing from the enemy the Bois de la Brigade De Marine and the village of VAUX, in stopping his offensive on the MARNE and at FOSSOY. Since then, they have taken the most glorious part in a second battle of the MARNE, rivaling in order and in valiance the French troops. They have, in twenty days of incessant combat, liberated numerous French villages and realized across a difficult country an advance of forty kilometers, which has carried them beyond the VESLES. Their glorious marches are marked by names which will illustrate in the future, the military history of the United States: TORCY, BELLEAU, Plateau d’ENREPILLY, EPIEDS, Le CHARMEL, l’OURCQ, SERINGES et NESLES, SERGY, La VESLE and FISMES. The new divisions who were under fire for the first time showed themselves worthy of the old war-like traditions of the Regular Army. They have had the same ardent desire to fight the Boche, the same discipline by which an order given by the Chief is always executed, whatever be the difficulties to overcome and the sacrifices to undergo. The magnificent results obtained are due to the energy and skill of the Chiefs, to the bravery of the soldiers. I am proud to have commanded such troops.