President Woodrow Wilson with other men stands on a mountain side in what appears to be the western United States. He looks down into the valley. President Wilson talks to the men on the mountain side.
Slate reads: "Coucy, France. The American Aero Corps, which has seen active service with the Allied Armies, is now ready to fly for Uncle Sam." Aircraft are seen on a grass flight line. Closeup of one airplane fuselage shows Indian Head dress Squadron Insignia of the French Army, Lafayette Escadrille, that continued to be displayed on aircraft of the American 103rd Aero Pursuit Squadron. French flier, Gervais Raoul Lufbery, sits on the ground leaning against the airplane. Another French flier sits nearby, accompanied by a German Shepherd dog. American flier,, William Thaw, stands against the propeller of the airplane. A group of American and French fliers display a large American flag, in recognition of the the 103rd Aero Pursuit Squadron commencing operations in France, as a U.S. entity.
American forces moving by railroad in France during World war 1. A steam locomotive pulls a long train over tracks in a rail marshalling yard. The train includes troop passenger cars followed by flat cars carrying war materiel, such as wagons and artillery pieces, along with accompanying troops in the open. These are followed by more closed troop carrying cars. Next, U.S. soldiers and some sailors are seen walking on an outdoor rail platform as a train filled with sailors pull slowly into the station. Passengers and those on the ground wave to one another. View from front of a steam locomotive pulling a train headed toward the camera. A French woman moves a wheeled mobile gate beside a train track in France. French civilian men stand between nearby train tracks as a train carrying American soldiers passes them. Soldiers sit with their feet dangling out of the cars. An American flag is displayed on the last car.
Opening scene shows American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) of 28th Infantry Regiment in France during World War 1. They are receiving a meal in an outdoor chow line. Next, they are seen climbing into a crowded railroad box car, at Beaumont, France. They sit in the rail car opening and wave as the train pulls out. On its side is painted the contents limits: 40 men or 8 horses (Hommes 40 or Chevaux 8). View of a steam locomotive pulling a troop train with American soldiers waving from open doors. Other American soldiers assembling at the rail yard. They wave to those leaving on the train. One soldier clowns around with those leaving.
A railroad marshalling yard in France during World War 1. Several American soldiers stand near tracks as a French locomotive pulls a train past them. With all tracks now clear except for one long train of box cars, American soldiers walk beside the train carrying their full field packs and 1903 Springfield rifles as they board the box cars. Closeup of some soldiers boarding. They wear Garrison caps and carry their steel helmets with their packs. Officers monitor the boarding activity. Next, a steam locomotive is seen pulling the long train of loaded box cars. Soldiers sit with their feet dangling from open box car doors. Closeups of locomotives pulling a train of closed freight cars and of another pulling various cargoes, including wooden poles and building materials.
American Expeditionary Forces (32nd Division) march through the French town of Gievres during World War 1. They are led by a military brass band. The weather is rainy and the few local people watching carry umbrellas. Scene shifts to office of the station master at railroad station. (Sign reads: "Chef de Gare.") Several French civilians emerge from the office. One shakes hands with an American soldier. French officials and American soldiers walk together.