St. Mihiel Ashtray and Matchbox Holder

This ashtray is made from a section of a 75 mm artillery shell.  The inscription, “St. Mihiel” has been etched on the ashtray.  In the center of the ashtray is a rifle cartridge and matchbox holder.  The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was the first and only offensive carried out solely by the United States.  The objective of the attack was to break through the German lines and capture the French city of Metz.  The battle considered an Allied victory, took place September 12 through September 15, 1918.