Americans+Enter+Combat-ET

Americans Enter Combat

On July 4, 1917 General John J. Pershing arrived in Paris with the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). He and his officers headed to Picpus Cemetery where Lafayette was buried and one of the officers raised his voice and siad "Lafayette, we are here!" France had helped the U.S. gain its freedom, and now Americna soldiers would help the French to preserve theirs. When the American troops arrived in France, the Brittish and French commanders wanted to and them to their command. But Pershing refused and said "American soldiers fight in american units under American command.