17-23 June 1917

Quartermasters meet to plan war effort

When General John J. Pershing traveled to France in June 1917 his accompanying staff included the Chief Quartermaster Colonel Daniel McCarthy the Chief Quartermaster for the AEF. Upon arrival in France they found another Quartermaster officer, Major James Logan and civilian railroad experts waiting for them with advance knowledge of the situation.

The first few days inParis were spent in ceremonial duties; real planning began after General Pershing met with the French Marshall Philippe Pétain on 16 June. From 17 June onward McCarthy and his colleagues were immersed in the planning for the American war effort.

Everything depended upon supply and logistics; but the US Army had no previous experience at such an effort. Nevertheless they quickly developed a concept for how to support the Army by designating the correct ports, rails, depot locations, and other points of supply. Their efforts set the foundation for the American war effort.

Compiled by Dr. Steven Anders, former Quartermaster School historian