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The American soldiers in [[World War I]] informally called themselves '''doughboys'''.  The term also applied to [[Marines]] and to [[women]] who served in [[Uniform]].

The American soldiers in [[World War I]] informally called themselves '''doughboys'''.  The term also applied to [[Marines]] and to [[women]] who served in [[Uniform]].

The doughboys joined for [[patriotism]] and excitement. Some were aroused by the [[atrocity]] stories, others fought for [[democracy]]. Only a few clearly understood their motivations, like Lieutenant Philip Shoemaker, who fought "for freedom and justice to all":<ref> Ronald Schaffer, ''America in the Great War'' (1991) p. 182</ref>  

The doughboys joined for [[patriotism]] and excitement. Some were aroused by the [[atrocity]] stories, others fought for [[democracy]]. Only a few clearly understood their motivations, like Lieutenant Philip Shoemaker, who fought "for freedom and justice to all":<ref>Ronald Schaffer, ''America in the Great War'' (1991) p. 182</ref>  

:"If I am fortunate enough to come home alive after the  [[war]], I will be able to handle any kind of job, a better  man than any one that has not been in the war. If I  don't come back, I will of first had a chance to see the  country, have a good time and be an AMERICAN soldier in the World War."   

:"If I am fortunate enough to come home alive after the  [[war]], I will be able to handle any kind of job, a better  man than any one that has not been in the war. If I  don't come back, I will of first had a chance to see the  country, have a good time and be an AMERICAN soldier in the World War."   

"Don't worry about me," Elizabeth Lewis Knight assured her mother, "for this is an experience of a lifetime. There are many [[nurse]]s [who] would give anything if they could be here."<ref> Schaffer, ''America in the Great War'' p. 183</ref>  

"Don't worry about me," Elizabeth Lewis Knight assured her mother, "for this is an experience of a lifetime. There are many [[nurse]]s [who] would give anything if they could be here."<ref>Schaffer, ''America in the Great War'' p. 183</ref>  

The 4 million doughboys were a cross section of the entire population of young men; they served an average of 12 months. Half went to [[Europe]], staying an average of 5.5 [[month]]s. Only 34% of the enlisted men were assigned to combat specialties. This was the first industrial war, and the [[Army]]'s "tail" was twice as long as its "teeth." One third of the men were assigned as laborers or service workers (including 80% of the [[blacks]]); 22% were mechanics and craftsmen; 12% held clerical or technical jobs. Col. [[George Patton]] observed, "It is remarkable how much easier these [drafted] men are to teach than the old soldiers we used to have. They had no brains at all. These men have plenty."  

The 4 million doughboys were a cross section of the entire population of young men; they served an average of 12 months. Half went to [[Europe]], staying an average of 5.5 [[month]]s. Only 34% of the enlisted men were assigned to combat specialties. This was the first industrial war, and the [[Army]]'s "tail" was twice as long as its "teeth." One third of the men were assigned as laborers or service workers (including 80% of the [[blacks]]); 22% were mechanics and craftsmen; 12% held clerical or technical jobs. Col. [[George Patton]] observed, "It is remarkable how much easier these [drafted] men are to teach than the old soldiers we used to have. They had no brains at all. These men have plenty."