Steichen WWI

By cordileone

  • The United States declares war on Germany

  • General John J. Pershing arrives in England

  • American combat forces arrive in France

  • Steichen enters active duty as First Lieutenant in the Army Air Service

  • Photographic Division officially formed

  • Photographic Division officers meet to determine organization

  • Major Barnes and Steichen sail for Brest

  • Steichen's promotion to Captain announced

  • Barnes and Stiechen arrive in Europe and establish offices in Paris, then Chaumont

  • Steichen attends Rodin's funeral at Meudon

  • Photo Division splits into the Signal Corps and the Photo Section

  • Steichen spends 3 weeks studying British aerial photography in England

  • Barnes and Stiechen visit French troops at the front above Chalons-sur-Marne, in late February

  • Barnes officially recognized as Chief Photographic Officer

  • Steichen assigned to the office of the Chief of Advance Station at Colomney-les-Belles

  • Trained photographers and darkroom technicians arrive in mid-March

  • Germany begins its Spring Offensive, its final offensive of the war

  • Barnes moves to new Air Service Headquarters at Tours

  • First Aero Observation Squadron completes preparation, first week of April

  • Steichen appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Photographic Section, as Lt. Col. Leasure assumes a post with the General Staff

  • Air Service reorganized with the Photographic, Balloon, Radio, and Information Setions under Colonel C. De F. Chandler

  • Lt. Colonel Shelby C. Leasure appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Photographic Section

  • US forces successfully carry out first independent American operation in the Battle of Cantigny

  • Barnes reassigned to direct the Air Service's School of Aerial Photography in Rochester

  • Steichen replaces Barnes as Deputy under Lieutenant Col. Leasure in Tours

  • American forces stop the German attempt to cross the Marne River at Chateau Thierry

  • Order issued to compile photographic histories of Air Service activity by Major General Mason Patrick, the Chief of the Air Service

  • American First Army launches St. Mihiel offensive

  • Allied forces begin attack at Meusse-Argonne, the final offensive of the war

  • the Photographic Section is made a fully independent section

  • Steichen's title becomes Chief, Photographic Section

  • Armistice

  • Steichen is sworn into the rank of Major

  • Steicehn transferred back to Washington at the Photographic Section headquarters

  • Steichen receives an Honorable Discharge, rank of Major