# data[].attributes.body
Abby Hilton

September 18, 2022

HS315: Leadership Great Commanders

# data[].attributes.body
General John J Pershing is best known for his leadership of the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI

Pershing was also known for his year long pursuit of Pancho Villa along the Mexican border with the US

After Spanish-American War, Pershing praised the black soldiers who served under him. This action was unheard of at the time

Enjoyed learning about his adversaries, including learning some Apache dialects

# data[].attributes.body
John (Black Jack) Pershing was born 13 September 1860 in Missouri.

Pershing earned a teaching degree in 1880 and then enrolled in West Point in 1882. After graduation, he was stationed in Arizona and New Mexico, fighting to "protect" white settlers from the Apaches.

# data[].attributes.body
Over the course of his career, Pershing commanded several now famous Americans including Harry S Truman, George Patton and Douglas MacCrthur (Kukulgan, S & Harper, K, n.d.)

# data[].attributes.body
Pershing believed in rigid attention to detail and that discipline should be absolute. This was okay with trained soldiers but for the citizen army he was commanding, it did not go over well. (Gabel, C & Willbanks, J.)

# data[].attributes.body
Graduated 30th in a class of 77 at West Point

Failed to locate Poncho Villa after 12 months

# data[].attributes.body
As 1st Lt. of 10th Cavalry, was one of first white officers to command all-Black regiment

Taught military science and tactics at Univ of Nebraska (while also earning a law degree) followed by post as in instructor at West Point

In 1898, lead 10th Cavalry (along side Theodore Roosevelt) in battles of Santiago and San Juan Hill; earning a promotion to the rank of captain

In 1906, was promoted by President Roosevelt to brigadier general - leap frogging 800+ of his senior officers

In 1916, tasked by President Wilson to capture of revolutionary Mexican leader Pancho Villa.

In 1917, bypassed other major-generals to be appointed commander of AEF. After victory in Europe, returned to US and named rank of "General of the Armies of the United States" (History.com, 2021)

1921 to 1924, served as Army Chief of Staff

In 1932, earned Pultizer Prize for his memoir

# data[].attributes.body
In conclusion, as a society we continue to study commanders the likes of Pershing because he was the kind of leader who continued to learn throughout his life.

During WWI, he was tasked with leading 2 million men in the AEF who had little to professional fighting experience.  British and French officers wanted absorb the inexperienced army but Pershing pushed to keep the united separate.

With such a large force to command, Pershing made a decision to split the force into two armies, thus allowing the large army focus 2 fonts simultaneously.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-J-Pershing
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pershing-attacked-by-mexican-troops

Editors, History.com (September 9, 2021) "John J. Pershing" History.com  https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/john-j-pershing

Kukuljan, S & Harper, K (n.d.)  "John J. Pershing"  historicmissourians.shsmo.org  https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/john-pershing

Gabel, C & Willbanks, J (n.d.)  "Great Commanders"  page 138
https://content.grantham.edu/academics/GU_HS315/Great_Commanders_Textbook.pdf