Laclede in Linn County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial
| | First World War Commemorative Garden | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
1. Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery Marker
The Saint-Mihiel offensive was the first and only American offensive completely planned and executed by General Pershing and the American Expeditionary Force. The American objective was to break through the German lines and capture the rail city of Metz severing the German supply and troop transport lines. For the first time, American soldiers faced the deadly efficiency of the German machine gun nests. They countered this new threat with air support, tanks, and a variety of light machine guns.
Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial
Dedicated: 1937
Location: France
Burials: 4,153
Missing in Action: 248
Acres: 40.5
Missourians:
Wyatt Gann, Private, US ArmyNative Americans in the Great War:
355th Infantry Regiment,
89th Division
September 12, 1918 (MIA)
Missouri
Frank Coon, Private, US Army
141st Infantry Regiment,
36th Division
August 29, 1918 (Died of disease)
Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation
Erected 2018 by Missouri State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is August 29, 1918.
Location. 39° 47.374′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in North Missouri. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial (here, next to this marker); Somme American Cemetery and Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial
2. Marker detail: German Maschinengewehr 08
The German Maschinengewehr 08 (or MG 08) fired 600 rounds per minute with a range of up to 3,000 meters.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. First World War Commemorative Garden
Also see . . .
1. St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial is located at the west edge of Thiaucourt (Meurthe-et-Moselle), France. The cemetery contains the graves of 4,153 American military dead from World War I. The majority of these died in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, an offensive that resulted in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient that threatened Paris.(Submitted on February 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
In the late 1920s, the architect Thomas Harlan Ellett, in collaboration with the sculptor Paul Manship, designed the architectural features of thecemetery, including a memorial peristyle with fluted Doric columns, and flanking it, a chapel and a museum.
3. Marker detail: French Chauchat Machine GunThe French Chauchat light machine gun served several European armies through two world wars. But the Model 1918, redesigned to fire .30-06 ammunition used by the US Army, jammed frequently and proved unreliable for American soldiers.
The burial area is divided into four equal quadrants by paths lined with linden trees, at the center of which is a large sundial surmounted by an American eagle. A statue of a World War I soldier, sculpted by Paul Manship, stands at the end of the western axis, while a semi-circular overlook with a sculpted victory vase marks the end of the eastern axis.
2. Battle of Saint-Mihiel (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a major World War I battle fought from 12 to 16 September 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Forces and 110,000 French troops under the command of General John J. Pershing of the United States against German positions. The U.S. Army Air Service played a significant role in this action.(Submitted on February 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
It was the first large offensive launched mainly by the United States Army in World War I, and the attack caught the Germans in the process of retreating. This meant that their artillery was out of place and theAmerican attack, coming up against disorganized German forces, proved more successful than expected. The Saint-Mihiel attack demonstrated the critical role of artillery during World War I and the difficulty of supplying such massive armies while they were on the move. The U.S. attack faltered as artillery and food supplies were left behind on the muddy roads. The attack on Metz was not realized, as the Supreme Allied Commander Ferdinand Foch ordered the American troops to march towards Sedan and Mιziθres, which would lead to the MeuseArgonne offensive.
4. Marker detail: British Lewis Machine GunSome American troops used the British Lewis machine gun. The weight and bulk of the gun required a two-man crew.
5. Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery location
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
6. Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery Marker
The marker is near the northwest corner of the First World War Commemorative Garden.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 55 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
