In May 1917, the US War Department authorized the organization of a New England National Guard division for service in France. Each of the six states were ordered to provide men and units for the 26th Division. The 26th was activated on August 22, 1917 and was nicknamed the “Yankee” Division (YD) because of the approximately 28,000 soldiers who hailed from most every town and city in New England. Many of the Guardsmen were well-seasoned soldiers who had been on active duty in Texas during the Mexican border crisis of 1916. The 26th was so quickly organized that it began deploying to France on September 7, 1917 and the entire Division was in France by the end of October, making the YD the first complete US Army division to arrive in France.
In February 1918, after three months of intensive training, the 26th entered the trenches as one of the first US divisions to enter combat. These New England soldiers were noted for their marksmanship and fighting spirit. In April 1918, one element of the YD stood its ground against determined German assaults for several days for which it was decorated by the French Army. In July 1918, the 26th was on the line near Chateau-Thierry when the Germans launched their final offensive. The YD defended in place and then led the first US offensive campaign of the war. In September 1918, the 26th played a prominent role during the Saint-Mihiel Campaign. And during the Meuse-Argonne Campaign, which was the final campaign of the war, the 26th fought until November 11, 1918. The YD saw more frontline combat experience than any other division, save the 1st Division. The YD was credited with service in six campaigns and incurred some 15,000 casualties.
During the interwar period between the two World Wars, war pilgrimages were commonplace. We know from published accounts that these pilgrimages were intended for communal grief and healing, cultivating bonds between and amongst veterans, and paying respect to fallen comrades. Despite the religious connotation of these journeys, they did not serve a purely religious purpose, but most certainly, they served a sacred one. The ethos of military culture has historically been infused with religious traditions, imagery, iconography, prayers, and beliefs that we are guided and protected by something beyond our tangible grasp. This was certainly the case during and after WWI. And, the pilgrimages to the Western Front included visits to battlefields, memorials, and cemeteries. The saints were the brothers-in-arms who paid the ultimate sacrifice; the altars were memorials that commemorated the units and the gravestones of the fallen. The sacred community included veterans, their families, and their French hosts. For the Yankee Division veterans, the epicenter of their pilgrimage was a small village church in Belleau, France.
In the decade following the war, many of the YD veterans turned their attention to commemoration, establishing fraternal organizations, and preserving the heritage and legacy of the division. Also, during the era of the1920’s, there was a strong and increasing sentiment that there should be some appropriate monument or other landmark built upon the battlefields where the 26th Division had fought. This monument would stand as a lasting record of the participation of the Division in the Great War and as a memorial to those of the Division who gave their lives in its service. This sentiment was translated into action. During a meeting at the YD Club in Boston on November 24, 1925, members gave their unanimous approval of the project. It was agreed that the memorial should be the effort of the whole Division; and that the cost of the memorial should be raised and contributed by the members of the Division themselves. While voluntary contributions by others would be accepted, there should be no appeal to the public for funds. The fundraising goal was set at $75,000 and, in 1926, the slogan "Every man give one day's pay"1 was adopted. A US division memorial, that also functions as a house of worship was unprecedented, and there was much discussion about whether it was appropriate. Ultimately, it was decided that, since the YD was involved in the destruction of the church resulting from heavy fighting during the Second Battle of the Marne, a rebuilt church was important and it was noted: “For seven centuries the old church at Belleau was kept in excellent condition by the proud citizens; there is no reason why they should not continue their good work with the new church. Let us hope that seven centuries from now, the Y.D. church will still be standing, the history of the Division engraved in her stones. Who knows what will have become of other monuments at that time?”2
A prominent family in the village donated the land for the church. The cornerstone of the church was laid December 23, 1928, after which an intensive drive was then undertaken to pay the construction cost. Stone wall panels were fabricated in France and are inscribed with more than 2,700 names of YD soldiers who perished during the war. These tablets are arranged alphabetically in each regiment or major unit. The tablets stretch from end to end of each of the sidewalls of the church and a tablet bearing the names of the men of Belleau who died in the war was also installed in the church. In October 1929, the YD veterans went on a pilgrimage to the Western Front and the key activity during the pilgrimage was the dedication of the church. The dedication ceremony included the veterans, many of their families, French diplomatic and military personnel, religious leaders, and representatives from each of the New England states, who were sent on behalf of their respective governors. During the ceremony, the flags of each of the New England states were presented. Since 1929, the church has been a continuous place of pilgrimage for YD veterans and others who come to pay their respects to the men of the 26th who died during WWI.
Welcome Home YD - The 26th Division Commemoration Programme
Pictoral History of the 26th Division US Army
For a list of additional resources about the 26th Infantry Division click here.