This Day in Military History

4 July 1917: The American Expeditionary Forces arrived at Paris, France. General John J. Pershing went to the Marquis de Lafayette’s grave at Picpus Cemetery. An aide, Lt. Col. Charles E. Stanton, make an address to the assembled crowd as they placed an American flag on Lafayette’s grave. Traditionally, every July 4, a new flag is placed on the grave in acknowledgement of the French noble’s support of the new nation.

Quote of the Day: “Lafayette, nous ici!” (“Lafayette, we are here!”) Lt. Col. Charles E. Stanton, July 4, 1917, at the grave of the Marquis de Lafayette

Brandus, Paul. This Day in U.S. Military History (pp. 165-166). Bernan Press. Kindle Edition.