Steichen WWI By cordileone Apr 5, 1917 The United States declares war on Germany Jun 7, 1917 General John J. Pershing arrives in England Jun 24, 1917 American combat forces arrive in France Jul 27, 1917 Steichen enters active duty as First Lieutenant in the Army Air Service Aug 2, 1917 Photographic Division officially formed Aug 7, 1917 Photographic Division officers meet to determine organization Nov 1, 1917 Major Barnes and Steichen sail for Brest Nov 9, 1917 Steichen's promotion to Captain announced Nov 19, 1917 Barnes and Stiechen arrive in Europe and establish offices in Paris, then Chaumont Nov 24, 1917 Steichen attends Rodin's funeral at Meudon Jan 5, 1918 Photo Division splits into the Signal Corps and the Photo Section Feb 1, 1918 Steichen spends 3 weeks studying British aerial photography in England Feb 28, 1918 Barnes and Stiechen visit French troops at the front above Chalons-sur-Marne, in late February Mar 15, 1918 Barnes officially recognized as Chief Photographic Officer Mar 15, 1918 Steichen assigned to the office of the Chief of Advance Station at Colomney-les-Belles Mar 15, 1918 Trained photographers and darkroom technicians arrive in mid-March Mar 21, 1918 Germany begins its Spring Offensive, its final offensive of the war Mar 25, 1918 Barnes moves to new Air Service Headquarters at Tours Apr 1, 1918 First Aero Observation Squadron completes preparation, first week of April Apr 6, 1918 Steichen appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Photographic Section, as Lt. Col. Leasure assumes a post with the General Staff May 1, 1918 Air Service reorganized with the Photographic, Balloon, Radio, and Information Setions under Colonel C. De F. Chandler May 1, 1918 Lt. Colonel Shelby C. Leasure appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Photographic Section May 28, 1918 US forces successfully carry out first independent American operation in the Battle of Cantigny Jun 1, 1918 Barnes reassigned to direct the Air Service's School of Aerial Photography in Rochester Jun 1, 1918 Steichen replaces Barnes as Deputy under Lieutenant Col. Leasure in Tours Jun 2, 1918 American forces stop the German attempt to cross the Marne River at Chateau Thierry Sep 5, 1918 Order issued to compile photographic histories of Air Service activity by Major General Mason Patrick, the Chief of the Air Service Sep 12, 1918 American First Army launches St. Mihiel offensive Sep 26, 1918 Allied forces begin attack at Meusse-Argonne, the final offensive of the war Sep 27, 1918 the Photographic Section is made a fully independent section Sep 27, 1918 Steichen's title becomes Chief, Photographic Section Nov 11, 1918 Armistice Nov 13, 1918 Steichen is sworn into the rank of Major Apr 1, 1919 Steicehn transferred back to Washington at the Photographic Section headquarters Oct 31, 1919 Steichen receives an Honorable Discharge, rank of Major