At the end of the Côte St. Germain path that leads to a small clearing and a panoramic view of the surrounding fields, there is a large metal crucifix and a small cluster of trees. The stele is located adjacent to these features.
Marker
On its north side, this gray stone and yellow mortar pillar features the Red Diamond insignia of the 5th U.S. Infantry Division with a white "5" in the middle as well as a black granite plaque that commemorates (in French) the individual units of the 5th Infantry Division. On this side the logo of Le Souvenir Français is present in the bottom right corner. On the south side of the monument, there is another plaque that describes the advance of the 5th Infantry Division and pays homage to its commanding officer. Lastly, on the west side of the monument, there is a plaque describing the strategic importance of the Côte St. Germain.
The Côte St. Germain was captured after the neighboring town of Lion-devant-Dun. This 3 kilometer long ridge was of great strategic importance due to its height above the surrounding fields; in this way it gave the Germans a perfect line of sight over the U.S. Army's main advance. Not surprisingly, the fighting to gain control of Côte St. Germain was relatively intense. Additionally, artillery played a crucial rule in breaking the German army's hold on this elevated ground.
Inscription 1:
"Murvaux, P.C. le plus avancé de la 5e U.S. division
commandée par le major général Hanson E. ELY,
le 11 novembre 1918."
Inscription 2:
"Unité de la 5e U.S. division (Red Diamond)
9e brigade d'infanterie 61e régiment d'infanterie
10e brigade d'infanterie 7e régiment du génie
3e brigade d'artillerie 9e bataillon de transmission
6e régiment d'infanterie 76e régiment d'artillerie
11e régiment d'infanterie 77e régiment d'artillerie
60e régiment d'infanterie 13e régiment d'artillerie
Inscription 3:
"Cote Saint-Germain, capturée par les troupes
de la 9e brigade d'infanterie commandée par
le brigadier général J.C. CASTNER, le 6 novembre 1918.
English Translation:
Inscription 1:
"Marvaux: the most forward H.Q. of the 5th U.S. Division
commanded by Major General Hanson E. Ely.
November 11, 1918."
Units of the 5th U.S. Division (Red Diamond)
9th Infantry Brigade 61st Infantry Regiment
10th Infantry Brigade 7th Engineer Regiment
3rd Artillery Brigade 9th Transmission Battalion
6th Infantry Regiment 76 Artillery Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment 77th Artillery Regiment
60th Infantry Regiment 13th Artillery Regiment
Inscription 3:
"Cote Saint-Germain, captured by the troops
of the 9th Infantry Brigade commanded by Brigadier General
J.C. Castner on November 6, 1918."