In the beginning of June, 1918 the 5th Division was assigned to the 7th French Army in the Anould section of the Vosges mountains. Over the next month, the 5th Division conducted numerous patrol and raiding missions and successfully repulsed several German attacks along their lines. On July 14 the 5th Division was reassigned to the St. Die sector and relieved the French troops which had been defending the area.

The 5th Division quickly established themselves and ran almost continuous patrols in "No mans land." Prior to the arrival of the 5th Division, German aircraft had flown over the Allied lines at will. That soon changed when a gunner from D Company, 14th Machine Gun Battalion shot down one of the German aircraft. It was the first enemy aircraft ever destroyed by ground fire in that sector. The Germans quickly learned to avoid any area that might contain troops from the 5th Division.

On August 17, the 5th Division went on the offensive for the first time. Early on the morning of the 17th, the 3rd Battalion, 6th Infantry, with machine guns and engineers in support attacked and captured the town of Frapelle, which was the end of a small salient. After a brief but intense struggle against machine guns and artillery, the attacking Americans quickly drove the Germans from Frapelle. After receiving reinforcements, the men of the 5th Division stood ready for a counter attack. Over the next three days, the defenders endured numerous counter-attacks and heavy artillery bombardment. But through it all they held their ground.

The Frapelle offensive was important for several reasons. First, it was the first advance the Allied forces had achieved in almost three years in that sector. Second it was the first time the 5th Division had fought as an in dependant unit.

On August 23, the 5th Division was relieved and sent to Arches for a much needed rest and resupply. There they received new equipment and replacements were integrated into the units. On September 4, the 5th Division again moved to the front for a new offensive. St. Mihiel.

After a series of night marches through mud and rain, the 5th Division moved over 100 kilometers to the staging area at Regnieville. The inclement weather broke before the Germans were prepared. The German high command had anticipated an attack in this area and decided to withdraw. However, because the weather cleared, and the 5th Division had arrived so fast, the attack went ahead 48 hours ahead of schedule. After 4 hours of artillery preparation, the 6th and 11th Regiments commenced the attack. The attacking Americans moved so quickly, they outran their own artillery and attached French tanks. In less than 9 hours, the 5th Division had captured all of its objectives. The men began to dig in and prepare for the expected German attacks.

For three days, German artillery pounded the 5th Division lines and several attacks by the Germans were repulsed. The Division began aggressive patrolling north of the Hindenburg line. On September 17, the 78th Infantry Division arrived and replaced the 5th Division in line. The St. Mihiel operation was an overwhelming success. The 5th Division, who by now had earned the nickname "Die rote teufel" or Red Devils, had killed over 300 enemy soldiers and captured 1,243. Huge quantities of German equipment was captured including many artillery pieces. 21 Red Devils were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The Red Devils pulled back for another rest and resupply.

On October 11, the 5th Division was ordered again into combat. This time to clear a small area called Bois de Rappes. For over a week, the Red Devils attacked some of the strongest German fortifications ever encountered. The Germans also had artillery support from the heights east of the River Meuse. Again and again, the 5th Division attacks the German positions only to be repulsed. Finally on October 21, in a surprise attack, the Red Devils attacked with fixed bayonets under an intense rolling artillery barrage. The Germans fought tenaciously but could not stop the Americans. It took 11 days and almost 4,500 casualties, but the Bois des Rappes was finally in Allied hands. During this action 1 officer, Lt. Samuel Woodfill, was awarded the Medal of Honor and 87 men were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

The 5th Division only received 4 days rest when they were ordered into another assault. This time their objective was to force a crossing of the River Meuse, east of Bois des Rappes. By November 3, after meeting little resistance, the 5th Division reached the bank of the River. Early on the morning of the 3rd, the 6th Regiment crossed the river with engineers and established a footbridge. The 6th Regiment came under heavy machine gun fire from the heights and was pinned down most of the day. On the 4th, reinforcements crossed the bridge and the Red Devils stormed the heights. On the 5th, the 60th Regiment forced another crossing to the north, meeting heavy resistance. But by the end of the day, the two assault forces linked up and had secured a strong beachhead across the River Meuse in two places.

During the Meuse operation, another Red Devil, Capt Edward Allworth, Commanding Officer of I Company, 60th Infantry, was awarded the Medal Of Honor. General Pershing, commander of the American Forces said of the 5th Division, "This operation was one of the most brilliant military feats in the history of the American Army in France. . . ." Henceforth, the 5th was the "Meuse Division!"

The 5th Division began expanding the beachhead allowing other divisions to cross unopposed. They then began to attack further East, driving 18 kilometers to the Loison River. Shortly after that, the armistice was signed, ending hostilities.

During the course of the war, 9,981 Red Devils became casualties including 1,098 who were killed in action. 351 Red Devils were decorated for bravery and valor in combat against the German Army. On November 27, the Red Devils moved into Luxembourg for occupation duty. 6 months later in the summer of 1919, the 5th Infantry Division returned home and was deactivated on October 4, 1921 at Camp Jackson, SC.

Overall, the helmet is in good condition complete with its original liner and leather chin strap.  As described previously, the olive green paint shows a lot of wear and patina from hard living in France during 1918.  The wear around the 3 dents at the top is evidence they occurred during its time in service and not after the war. The skull and bones at the front have a menacing look about them but even more so with the hard-fought conditions through which it survived.  This helmet does not appear to have spent much time retreating as the paint and "AEF" symbol painted on the back are in better shape than the areas moving forward!  Its not often we find a painted World War One Helmet that's ID'D and looks like it saw some action.  Some addition research on the man who wore it, Mr. L.B. Havens would be interesting as well.