WW1 PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL GUARD GENERAL THOMAS J. WITH ORIGINAL RIBBON AND RIBBON PIN SUSPENSION. America entered the war during the last two years. The division took part in six major campaigns in France and Belgium resulting in more than 14,000 battle casualties. With its entry into the war, the American forces helped turn the tide to the Allied victory. On July 15, 1918, elements of the division beat back German attacks along the Marne River. Pockets of division Soldiers were surrounded and cut off but fought at the company and platoon level in a ferocious defense of their positions, beating their way through German lines and back to secondary defensive positions. The 28th Division’s defiant stand earns its soldiers the moniker “Men of Iron” from General of the Armies John Pershing, commander of the Allied Armies.