“Godspeed Mon Ami” ‘September 1st 1919 – Arrived in Brest this morning on scheduled time at the station. I was greeted by Marshal Foch who had come down to Brest the night before to say goodbye. The marshal made a very nice address complimenting me upon the way I handled the task before me during those past two years. In my reply, I emphasized the honor I felt in having him personally come to bid me Godspeed. I also touched upon the cordial relations between France and the United States and expressed a sincere hope for the continuance of this friendship.At 3 o’clock the Leviathan began its homeward journey. There were a number of small French destroyers with bands aboard which came out alongside and circled about us as we left. I was very touched when I noticed that the marshal had boarded a small French ship and had come alongside just as we were leaving to wave goodbye again.As we were leaving the harbor of Brest I went up on the Captain’s bridge where I could better wave to the people who had come out to say good-bye this last time.’American General Pershing bidding farewell to France – John J. Pershing Diary. July 31,1919-July 11,1920 – more about this historic farewell “Marshal Foch Bids General Pershing an Affectionate Farewell”—Photo: September 1st 1919, Brest, The Final Handshake – SCU Digital Collections – Also, YouTube “Pershing’s Farewell to France”Note: Although Pershing embarked for home on September 1st 1919, American troops remained in France through the end of the year. And according to the terms of the Armistice, American soldiers occupied a zone in the Rhineland until 1923. -- source link
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