First US Troops Arrive in France: World War I Gets American Boots
America had been watching Europe bleed for three years before finally stepping in. The first U.S. troops — the 1st Division, roughly 14,000 men — docked at Saint-Nazaire on June 26, 1917, to enormous French crowds desperate for hope. But here's the thing: they weren't ready to fight. Months of training followed before they saw real combat. And when they finally did, the war had already consumed millions. America didn't save Europe. It prevented Europe from losing.
June 26, 1917
109 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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