This diary provides a detailed account of life in combat during World War I. The entries begin with Fitzgerald discussing the strenuous training in camp. Once in France, he provides detailed accounts of his movements. He also discusses trench warfare and the absence of open warfare, in both instances mentioning continuous shelling and machine gun fire. Fitzgerald spends much of his writing time illustrating the weight of his pack and its ability to ruin long marches. On November 11, 1918, Fitzgerald hears of the Armistice, and the war is over. His company held a divisional parade for the King and Queen of Belgium as well as General John J. Pershing. Fitzgerald returned home in June of 1919.

The diary itself is military issue. In the front there is a short translation list from French to English, as well as a metric conversion chart. Illustrations in the book allow one to readily identify an officer in the United States Army or Navy by his insignia. Fitzgerald also included an address list, a medical supply list, and a pressed flower from France in the diary.