This thesis seeks to examine the combat performance of the US Air Service during the offensives at St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne in the autumn of 1918. The research focuses on doctrinal development and operational experience prior to American entry into the war, which informed Air Service conduct during the battles under examination, as well as the campaigns themselves. Emphasis is placed on the planning and combat employment of observation, pursuit, and bombardment aviation during the campaigns, as well as materiel, training, and operational factors that affected Air Service performance.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)