714 8th St
Greeley, CO 80631
USA
On Thursday, Oct. 25, at noon, Ron Edgerton presents “America’s Greatest Battle” as part of the Historic Preservation Program’s History Brown Bag Series.
For many of the 1 million American soldiers who fought in it, the terrible Meuse-Argonne Battle gave rise to haunting nightmares for the rest of their lives. Confronting well-intrenched German troops occupying rugged terrain between the Meuse River and Argonne Forest, the doughboys attacked, fell back, and attacked again and again. Extraordinary acts of heroism marked the 47 days and nights of battle between September 26 and November 11, 1918. These included the unfailing resolve of Col. Charles Whittlesey’s “Lost Battalion,” and the unflinching courage and deadly accuracy of Sergeant Alvin York. Other famous Americans who played important roles in the battle included John J. Pershing, George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur and Harry Truman. In all, 26,277 Americans died, while another 96,000 suffered physical wounds and an untold number incurred psychological scars that would stay with them for life. It was the greatest battle in American military history. Why have so few of us even heard of the Meuse-Argonne?
In this presentation at the Greeley Museums’ monthly brown-bag lunch, retired UNC History Professor Dr. Ron Edgerton will introduce you to the battle and ensure that the Meuse-Argonne Offensive remains imprinted on your memory from this time forth.
History Brown Bags are free afternoon events that aim to provide cultural and historical context to topics related to Historic Preservation in and around Greeley. Unless otherwise noted, all presentations are held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Greeley History Museum, 714 8th St., on the fourth Thursday of the month from January through October. For more information about the Historic Preservation program, visit GreeleyGov.com/HP or call 970-350-9222.
