Denis Estes
Denis Estes, born in Summit, AR, served as a Private First Class in Company M of the 7th Infantry Regiment in the US Army’s 3rd Division. The 3rd Division would gain the nickname “the Rock of the Marne” for holding territory in the face of heavy German assaults.
Denis likely landed in France with his Company M sometime between December 1917 and May 1918 in preparation for battle against German offensives, specifically in the area of Marne, 100 miles east of Paris.
The German army launched into the Second Battle of Marne on July 15, 1918. It was the last major German offensive of the war and it was foiled by allied forces. Unlike many of the prior engagements where French officers commanded the allied forces, in this battle, the US Army operated under General Pershing. On July 17th, when the German army was turned back, Denis Estes lost his life in battle supporting his United States and its allies.
General Pershing began a strong counter-offensive, the Aisne-Marne Offensive, on July 18th. The Second Battle of Marne is considered a turning point in the war with Germany.
Denis is one of some 12,000 US casualties in the Second Battle of Marne. The total number of casualties across allied and German forces in those 22 days of fighting was approximately 300,000. Over 6,000 US soldiers, primarily from this battle, were buried in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, situated about 14 miles northeast of Château-Thierry, France.
In 2021, Denis’ family had Denis’ remains returned to his home state of Arkansas.