Photos by LEDET Coastie : on the map, in Google Earth (KML)

A very touching picture and story. I have visited Romagne a couple of times and it made me proud. My uncle, who I knew, fought with the 1st Division in WWI and I have followed his exploits through France. He won the Silver Star on 7Oct18 in the Argonne. I had the honor of standing in the spot where he won the award. Great pictures.

The monument with its environment are so beautifully captured that I just had to say it.

This monument is dedicated to the 1st Division men killed during the St. Mihiel Offensive, WW1. My great grandfather, 1st Lt. Rolla P. Umsted, fought at St. Mihiel as part of the 1st Division, 16th Infantry.

This monument is built on the high ground that was held by the german army during the St. Mihiel Offensive, WW1. The germans had numerous artillery pieces on this ground. The 1st Division passed within 1000 yards under cover of a smoke screen. My great grandfather, 1st Lt. Rolla P. Umsted, was part of the 1st Division, 16th Infantry.

This monument is in bad repair, but is dedicated to the men of the AEF during WW1.

This monument is dedicated to the men of the 1st Division that fought in the St. Mihiel Offensive.

This monument is dedicated to the men of the 16th Infantry that liberated Fleville. My great grandfather, 1st Lt. Rolla P. Umsted, was killed in action 10/4/1918 during the attack/defense of Fleville.

My great grandfather, 1st Lt. Rolla P. Umsted, was killed during the Meuse Argonne Offensive during WW1 (1918). His unit, 16th Infantry, captured the town of Fleville and held it against fierce German counterattacks. His name is third from the top on the left side.

My great-grandfather is buried in the Romagne Cemetary in France. Photo taken June 2007. My brother and I were the first relatives to visit his grave since his mother visited during the gold star mother's pilgrimage in 1930.

This is the original site of the 40th Division memorial. It was dedicated on 11/11/28. The 40 ton rock came from Mount Grossmont in San Diego. The plaque from the memorial is now in the 40th Division headquarters in Long Beach. The rock was moved to another location. The truck carrying the rock broke down in Long Beach. The rock stayed at a National Guard Armory as a unit emblem. The original site is the East end of the runway at MCAS Miramar. The parade field (now runway) is where Lingberg practiced takeoffs and landings before his tranatlantic flight.