Officers and soldiers of the Second Division, your achievments and sacrifices have earned for you and for your fallen comrades the praise and gratitude of our Nation. SUMMARY OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE FOURTH BRIGADE. A summary of the operations of the Fourth Brigade of Marines is set forth below: The Fourth Brigade of Marines as a unit of the Second Division participated in actual battle in France in the following sectors between the inclusive dates set down (as published in General Orders No. 37, Second Division, April 25, 1919): Toulon sector, Verdun: From March 15 to May 13, 1918. Aisne defensive, in the Chateau-Thierry sector: From May 31 to June 5, 1918. Chateau-Thierry sector (capture of Hill 142, Bouresches, Belleau Wood): From June 6 to July 9, 1918. Aisne-Marne (Soissons) offensive: From July 18 to July 19, 1918. Marbache sector, near Pont-a-Mousson on the Moselle River: From August 9 to August 16, 1918. St. Mihiel offensive, in the vicinity of Thiaucourt, Xammes, and Jaulny: From September 12 to September 16, 1918. Meuse-Argonne (Champagne) including the capture of Blanc Mont Ridge and St. Etienne: From October 1 to October 10, 1918. Meuse-Argonne (including crossing of the Meuse River): From November 1 to November 11, 1918. SILVER BANDS FOR COLORS. Under the rulings of General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, the Marine Corps units serving with the Second Division are entitled to silver bands on the staffs of their colors for battle participation in the above-mentioned engagements. MAJOR OPERATIONS. General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, ruled that the Second Division, including the Fourth Brigade of Marines, participated in only four major operations, the Aisne defensive (May 31 to June 5, 1918); the Aisne-Marne offensive (July 18 and 19, 1918); the St. Mihiel offensive (Sept. 12 to 16, 1918); and the Meuse-Argonne offensive (Oct. 1 to 10; 1918, and Nov. 1 to 10, 1918). The operations which resulted in the capture of Blanc Mont and St. Etienne were construed to be included in the Meuse-Argonne offensive despite the fact that the operations were a part of the operations of the Fourth French Army, far to the west of the western limit of the American Meuse-Argonne sector and further that the work of the Second Division was continued by another American division. The operation which resulted in the capture of Hill 142, Bouresches, Bois de la Brigade de Marine, by the Marine brigade, assisted by Artillery, Engineers, etc., of the Second Division, and the capture of Vaux by the Third Brigade, Engineers and Artillery of the Second Division, were held to be local engagements rather than a major operation. The Second Division suffered about 9,000 casualties in the Chateau-Thierry sector.