Exhibit J - Extract from Army Commander’s Report of First Army Operations - 1919

📖 Review & Summary

What this is: A First Army memo dated 16 April 1919 transmitting an extract from the Army Commander’s report on First Army operations. It commends the entire First Army Staff for rapidly organizing and executing two major operations (St. Mihiel and Meuse–Argonne) and for solving unprecedented planning, supply, and evacuation problems.

Who signs and why it matters: The covering note is signed by H. A. Drum, Chief of Staff, First Army (later a four-star general). An annotation dated 18 April 1919 from Col. Parker Hitt, Chief Signal Officer, First Army—addressed to Operator Adele L. Hoppock—adds specific thanks for her contribution to “Signals, First Army.” This links the high-level commendation directly to a named Signal Corps telephone operator, showing how the Hello Girls’ work was recognized within official channels.

Why historians care: The document captures the First Army’s own assessment that staff work—planning, communications, and logistics—was decisive. It also provides rare, personalized acknowledgment to a Hello Girl at the First Army level, complementing Pershing-era recognitions.

[Exhibit J]

Headquarters First Army A.E.F.,
Office of the Chief of Staff,

April 16, 1919.

From : Chief of Staff, First Army, American E. F.

To : Heads of all General Staff Sections, Services and Departments.

The undersigned takes great pleasure in transmitting to you the following extract from the Army Commander’s report of the operations of the First Army.

“The Staff of the First Army had a new, difficult and complex task. Never before in our history has an Army of the size of the First Army been so quickly organized and so efficiently managed.

“The two large and rapid concentrations, the detailed plans for the numerous attacks in the two operations, and the supply and evacuation problem therein involved, would have been most difficult even with an experienced staff. The First Army staff met all of these problems with complete success. The successful organization and functioning of the First Army Staff made possible the successes achieved by the First Army. Too much credit can not be given to the officers and soldiers of this energetic and efficient staff for their intelligent, painstaking and untiring efforts and persistent energy during the whole campaign.

The undersigned desires to add to the foregoing his personal thanks to all members of the First Army Staff for their hearty cooperation in all the work that we have carried out together. Will you please see that a copy of the foregoing is furnished to all members of your Section, Service or Department.

H. A. Drum,
Chief of Staff.
office of the chief signal officer

April 18, 1919.

Official Copy furnished Operator Adele L. Hoppock. The Chief Signal Officer of the First Army desires to add his personal thanks to you and to the other members of his staff and office force, for your part in the successfully completed task of “Signals, First Army”.

Parker Hitt,
Colonel, Signal Corps.

"[Exhibit J]: Affidavit of Gertrude Hoppock: Extract from Army Commander’s Report of First Army Operations, 16 April 1919," in Recognition for Purposes of VA Benefits, Hearing before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, United States Senate, Ninety-Fifth Congress, First Session on S. 247, S. 1414, S. 129, and Related Bills. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 25 May 1977. | GGA Image ID # 236ff4dd67. Click to View a Larger Image.

✨ Most Engaging Content

• “Too much credit can not be given…” The report insists that First Army success rested on staff work—spotlighting the hidden labor (planning, signals, admin) that made breakthroughs possible.
• Named recognition: The official copy furnished to Operator Adele L. Hoppock with a personal note from Col. Parker Hitt moves the piece from generic praise to documented, individual credit.
• After-action timing: Dated five months after the Armistice, this is a reflective, summative judgment—valuable for teaching cause-and-effect in the AEF’s campaigns.

📘 Mini Dictionary for Civilians (if Needed)

First Army (A.E.F.)

The main U.S. field army in France, formed in 1918 to conduct operations like St. Mihiel and Meuse–Argonne.

Chief of Staff (First Army)

The senior officer coordinating planning, logistics, and operations across staff sections; in April 1919, Maj. Gen. H. A. Drum.

Chief Signal Officer (First Army)

The officer responsible for all First Army communications (telephone, telegraph, radio, lines). In 1919, Col. Parker Hitt.

Signals, First Army

The First Army communications system—networks, switchboards, operators, and line crews enabling command-and-control.

🎓 Essay Prompts for Students

1. Staff work as strategy: Using this extract, explain how planning, logistics, and communications translated into battlefield outcomes for the First Army.
2. From institution to individual: How does the personal note to Operator Adele L. Hoppock change our understanding of the Hello Girls’ role within First Army?
3. Memory vs. moment: Compare this April 1919 after-action praise with wartime commendations (e.g., Pershing’s). What does each reveal about timing, audience, and purpose?

🪶 Citation Block (Chicago, APA, MLA + student version)

• Chicago (Notes/Bibliography): United States. Senate. Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Recognition for Purposes of VA Benefits: Hearing Before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, United States Senate, Ninety-Fifth Congress, First Session on S. 247, S. 1414, S. 129, and Related Bills. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1977, p. 366. (“Exhibit J – Extract from Army Commander’s Report of First Army Operations.”)
• APA 7th: United States Senate, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. (1977, May 25). Recognition for purposes of VA benefits: Hearing before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, United States Senate, Ninety-Fifth Congress, First Session on S. 247, S. 1414, S. 129, and related bills (p. 366). U.S. Government Printing Office. (“Exhibit J.”)
• MLA 9th: United States, Congress, Senate, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Recognition for Purposes of VA Benefits: Hearing Before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, United States Senate, Ninety-Fifth Congress, First Session on S. 247, S. 1414, S. 129, and Related Bills. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1977, p. 366. “Exhibit J.”
• Student (plain English): “Exhibit J—Extract from Army Commander’s Report of First Army Operations,” in Recognition for Purposes of VA Benefits, Hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (95th Congress, 1st Session), May 25, 1977, p. 366. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.