Letter from General John J. Pershing to Floyd Gibbons - 1918

Personal Letter dated 17 August 1918 from General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces to Mr. Floyd Gibbons of the Chicago Tribune. And They Thought We Wouldn't Fight, 1918. GGA Image ID # 186a4e95eb

Personal letter to Floyd Gibbons from John J. Pershing

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

France, August 17, 1918
Mr. Floyd Gibbons,
Care Chicago Tribune,
420 Rue Saint-Honore,
Paris

Dear Mr. Gibbons:

At this time, when you are returning to America, I wish to express to you my appreciation of the cordial cooperation and assistance you have always given us in your important work as correspondent of the Chicago Tribune in France.

I also wish to congratulate you on the honor which the French government has done you in giving you the Croix de Guerre, which is but a just reward for the consistent devotion to your duty and personal bravery that you have exhibited.

My personal regrets that you are leaving us at this time are lessened by the knowledge of the great opportunity you will have of giving to our people in America a true picture of the work of the American soldier in France and of impressing on them the necessity of carrying on this work to the end, which can be accomplished only by victory for the Allied arms.

You have a great opportunity, and I am confident that you will grasp it, as you have grasped your past opportunities, with success. You have always played the game squarely and with courage, and I wish to thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Signed by John J. Pershing