The 104th U.S. Infantry was organized on this site on August 22, 1917, as the 104th Regiment Infantry, 26th Division, A.E.F., and departed for overseas service on September 26, 1917. In action on April 10, 12, and 13, 1918, in the Bois Brule, Apremont, France, despite very heavy bombardments and attacks by very strong German forces, it prevented a dangerous advance and, with great energy, retook at bayonet point the few ruined trenches abandoned at the first onset while also taking prisoners. A photograph reproduced from April 28, 1918, was taken at Bouco, Toul Section, France. In Lorraine, from November 8 to December 11, 1944, the regiment was the decisive element in an attack, and on December 8, 1944, it smashed a system of forts of the Maginot Line, liberating the last parcel of French territory then held by the enemy and inflicting heavy casualties: 1,428 prisoners, 3,000 wounded, and 700 killed. On November 3, 1945, in Paris, de Gaulle honored the regiment, and Gen Passaga praised the fortitude and courage shown by its flag and by a nation that had come to aid in the fight for liberty.