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On June 28, 1914, the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a nationalist group from Serbia. A month later, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. In August, most of Europe declares war on each other -
From September 5-10, 1914, the first battle of the Marne began. Germany attempted to invade Belgium, but its advance was halted at the Battle of the Marne. This began 4 years of trench warfare.
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On May 7, 1915, German U-boats sank a British transport ship called the Lusitania. This is seen as an act of war to the U.S public. On top of the Zimmerman note, unrestricted submarine warfare, Russia having a revolution, and financial ties to their allies in Europe, the U.S is struggling to stay out of the war. -
From February to December 1916, the Battle of Verdun took place. Hoping to overrun France, the German army launches a major offensive against France. This is the longest fight of WWI. This battle would become an example of the grueling nature of trench warfare.
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On April 6, 1917, the U.S joined WWI. This would prove to be a great help for the Allies. The U.S had plenty of troops, money, and supplies to help tip the balance and win the war. -
He enlisted a couple of days after the U.S declared war on Germany. He was sent to D.C for his basic training and left on December 3rd, 1917. -
He fought in 5 major battles and was wounded in the Chateau-Thierry, earning a Purple Heart. Because he was in the hospital, he missed the Battle of Verdun. He said that he wished that he had been there fighting alongside his friends. -
When John was coming home on a hospital ship, he had heard of the crowds that were welcoming him, the soldiers. However, when his ship docked, he was disappointed to see that no one had shown up to greet him and the rest of the boat. -
On top of his Purple Heart, He had also earned 2 bronze stars for participating in the Somme Defensive and the Champagne-Marne Defensive.