World War I included major actions at Cambrai from November 20 to December 4, 1917; the Somme Defensive from March 21 to April 6, 1918; Lys from April 9 to 27, 1918; Aisne from May 27 to June 5, 1918; Montdidier-Noyon from June 9 to 13, 1918; the Battle of Hamel on July 4, 1918; Champagne-Marne from July 15 to 18, 1918; Aisne-Marne from July 18 to August 6, 1918; the Somme Offensive from August 8 to November 11, 1918; Oise-Aisne from August 18 to November 11, 1918; Ypres-Lys from August 19 to November 11, 1918; St. Mihiel from September 12 to 16, 1918; Meuse-Argonne from September 26 to November 11, 1918; and Vittorio Veneto from October 24 to November 4, 1918. General John J. Pershing commanded American forces in the war. The U.S. was neutral when the war on the German Empire began in 1915, but after German U-boats started sinking merchant ships with Americans aboard, President Wilson prompted Congress to vote for entry into the war on April 6, 1917. The Progressive Era government directed the country into producing ammunitions, food, money and propaganda to support the war effort. The AEF sustained about 320,000 casualties, including 53,402 battle deaths, 63,114 combat deaths, and 204,000 wounded.