Each of the 8 artists the Department of War sent over were established illustrators, painters, or cartoonists before their military expedition. The artists, all made captains, consisted of William Aylward, Walter Duncan, George Harding, Wallace Morgan, Ernest Peixotto, J. Andre Smith, Harry Townsend, and Harvey Dunn.
While in France, many of the men focused on different areas of the war and its affects. William Aylward mainly depicted French ports and focused on logistics, while Walter Duncan concentrated on rear areas that helped to keep the army supplied and George Harding and Harry Townsend were both fascinated by the new technologies of war.
Wallace Morgan followed the Marine Brigade where he saw the battles of Chateau-Thierry and Belleau Wood while Ernest Peixotto depicted the French country side ravaged by war and Harvey Dunn earned a reputation of being foolhardy as he focused on frontline action. The group was commanded by J. Andre Smith, who had had prior officer training and served in a camouflage unit.
The artists of the AEF were different from other artists who served during World War 1 because they were officially sponsored by the Army and the works they produced were sent back to the government and analyzed before being published.