The work done by the AEF was meant to document the aftermath of a war the likes of which the world had never seen as well as inspire the American people.
As previously stated, the U.S. was not as invested in the outcome of World War 1 as Russia, Britain, and France. As such, they did not send over as many soldiers and had the resources to spare for a team of artists to document The Great War.
When looking at the work done by European artists compared to the art produced by the AEF, there are vast differences between the two. European art from World War 1 reflects on the devastation and destruction of France and Germany as well as mourning the millions of dead it left behind, the sons, fathers, brothers, and husbands that were lost. U.S. art similarly shows the shattered French country side, but refrains from depicting dead soldiers and also highlights the technological advances that were used in the war.
Cleaning Out Boche Machine Gun Nest by George Harding