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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 nurses [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 months. 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."  

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

* Gawne, Jonathan. ''Over There!: The American Soldier in World War I'' (1999)- 83 pages, heavily illustrated

* Gawne, Jonathan. ''Over There!: The American Soldier in World War I'' (1999)- 83 pages, heavily illustrated