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May 24, 2022

HS315

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It is hard to overstate the importance of John J. Pershing as an American general and
military leader. In World War I, he was the AEF's commander at one point in time. America's
involvement in World War I gave European allies a boost in morale, which ultimately led to victory
over the Central Powers (Vandiver, 1977). General of the United States Armies was given to
Pershing by Congress in 1919. He and George Washington are the only two people to have this
honor. In 1916, an American general named John J. Pershing led troops against "Pancho" Villa's
forces during the Spanish-American War

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Pershing leading the troops against Pancho Villa's

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Pershing leading the troops against Pancho Villa's

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One of World War I's most grueling engagements, the Meuse-Argonne assault, lasted 47
days. When World War I broke out, he served as the commander of the American Expeditionary
Forces on the continent. In 1892, he was promoted to the first lieutenant in the 10th Cavalry, where
he participated once more in combat with the Indians before being sent to West Point in 1897 to
serve as an instructor in tactics there (Vandiver, 1963). The following year, the Spanish-American
War erupted, and Pershing was instantly promoted to captain in the Tenth Cavalry. At El Caney,
in advance of Santiago de Cuba, his bravery won the notice of Theodore Roosevelt and Pershing's
colonel the testimony (Vandiver, 1963). After the war, a new chance arose for Pershing to
demonstrate the leadership abilities exhibited during World War I. He was promoted to the rank
of major and assigned to staff duties in the Federal Volunteer Force. He set up the Insular Bureau,
under which the affairs of the Philippines and Puerto Rico are presently managed. As Adjutant
General of the area of Mindanao and Jolo in 1899, he was sent to the Philippines

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John Pershing's courage and brilliance should matter to us today. President Roosevelt was
keen to promote Pershing because of his ambition. Military promotions were based on seniority.
Captain and Mrs. Pershing left the day after their wedding for Japan, where the young captain had
been sent as military attaché to an embassy in Tokyo. Observer Pershing followed General
Kuroki's force on their triumphant march across Manchuria during the Russo-Japanese War
(Vandiver, 1963). After reporting on this mission to the War Department, the Mikado awarded
him his first foreign medal, the Order of the Sacred Treasure.

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Why does studying the leader matter today?

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Why does studying the leader matter today?

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John Pershing was a courageous leader. This attribute matter today because a lot of
courageousness is required in this era. It was up to General Pershing whether or not to give the
European allies American troops (Pershing, 1920). After three years of war, the Allied forces in
Europe were worn out when the AEF arrived. Despite the wishes of certain American military
officers and European friends, Pershing asserted his authority by not sending American soldiers to
"fill in holes" in the Allied army. In his opinion, it would not be successful because of the very
different training techniques used by the United States and Europe. It was also his belief that the
Germans would be more demoralized by an American military force that was all together. Pershing
held steadfast in his choice, despite the objections. The AEF was there at the Battle of St. Mihiel,
the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and several other vital engagements. On November 6, 1918,
General Pershing finally broke the German lines at Sedan (Pershing, 1920). He regarded this as
one of the most significant achievements of the AEF

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The combined efforts of the AEF and European allies brought an end to World War I on
November 11, 1918. A hero's welcome awaited the troops of General Pershing and his brigade. In
1906, he made his way back to the United States. Because he was connected with European
observers, colonels, and generals his age in Manchuria, he had felt some humiliation. President
Roosevelt was keen to promote Pershing because of his ambition. Promotions in the military were
based on seniority. Any individual, military or civilian, may be promoted to the rank of brigadier
general or higher by the president. However, the president couldn't elevate a captain to the level
of major or colonel because of this (Pershing, 1920). One of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's
trademark actions was carried out. It was a massive coup for him to elevate Pershing to the rank
of brigadier general, thereby bypassing 862 other general-level officers. Due to Pershing's fatherin-position law's in Congress, several of the officers passed over were convinced that he had
benefited from "pull" when he submitted his candidacy to the Senate on September 15, 1906.
Roosevelt remained steadfast, and the nomination was made official by the Senate.

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Pershing, J. J. (1920). Final Report of Gen. John J. Pershing: Commander-in-Chief American Expeditionary Forces. US Government Printing Office.

Vandiver, F. E. (1963). John J. Pershing and the Anatomy of Leadership. United States Air Force Academy.

Vandiver, F. E. (1977). Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing (Vol. 1). Texas A&M University Press.