against Germany, capturing the valor and duty instilled in them through Gibbons’ firsthand observations. At the start of the narrative, Gibbons recounts the harrowing experience of traveling across the Atlantic on the Cunard liner "Laconia", which was torpedoed by a German submarine. He vividly describes the chaos and fear during the sinking, as well as his own desperate fight for survival in the life-boat amidst the icy waters. In the aftermath, Gibbons shares insights into how this event served as a potent reminder of the mortal dangers facing American troops abroad and the urgency of their mission. As he delves into the arrival of American forces and their initial experiences in France, the opening sets the stage for exploring themes of courage, sacrifice, and the realities of war. (This is an automatically generated summary.)