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Linda Proffitt
September 19, 2022
HS315

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John Pershing obtained his teaching degree in 1880.  He took a job at Prairie Mound School teaching African American students.  Pershing decided to leave teaching to further his education.

Although he had no desire for a military career, he applied to West Point and was accepted.  He only applied in order to obtain a higher education and did not plan a military career.

Pershing was not a brilliant student, however excelled at leadership, therefore he was frequently promoted when he was a cadet and reached the highest rank at West Point to the status of the president and first captain of his West Point class in 1886.

He served in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War.

In 1887 Pershing returned to West Point Military academy as an instructor.

Pershing quickly rose in rank and became a General.  In 1917, his reputation got the attention of President Wilson, who selected the General to be commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) for WWI.

Post war he served as Army Chief of Staff from 1921 - 1924.

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General Pershing had superior attributes in his leadership abilities.  He was an excellent leader with immense courage, he could remain steadfast, and unusually calm during hostile situations.

He was skilled, extremely loyal, and a very tough leader.  He had the utmost bravery under fire and expected no less from his soldiers.

General Pershing admired a man by their actions, loyalty, skill, and courage.  He did not discriminate against any soldier for the color of their skin.  He judged them by their abilities.  This was a unique trait in his time.

He had determination and dedication which gained the respect and admiration of his men.

General Pershing was obstinate at times when he felt his way was the correct way and he knew when to compromise.

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General John J. Pershing, every human has flaws.

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General Pershing was a relentless leader who had such a distaste for inefficiency.

The General invoked fear and intense hatred, and not the admiration of his cadets.  He became quite unpopular at West Point Academy not only by the cadets, but by other instructors because of his unusually strict demands of them.

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One of America's most accomplished generals

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In 1917, President Wilson appointed General Pershing to command the American Expeditionary Force (AEF).  He took  almost 2,000,000 inexperienced troops and turned them into a skilled fighting force.  He is most famous for this enormous assignment, as he completed it within 18 months.

He realized that an army this large was almost impossible to command by one person and separated the army into two, and selected who would be their commanders.

General Pershing was one of two men that achieved the rank of "General of the Armies." The other was George Washington, who received this rank posthumously. Pershing is the only person to achieve this status while alive.

He was one of the most influential military leaders.  He commanded some very famous American leaders, to include: future President Harry S. Truman, General George S. Patton, George C. Marshall (a later U.S. Secretary of State), and General Douglas MacArthur.

In 1932, General J. Pershing received a Pulitzer Prize in History, for his two books, "My Experiences in the World War."

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One of General Pershing's greatest failures it to adapt to trench warfare.  He thought felt that, “Wars are not won by fighting with shovels.” (Pershing).  Unfortunately, this mindset caused unnecessary hefty American casualties.

After Pancho Villa led a bloody invasion of Columbus, New Mexico, General Pershing was sent to capture Pancho Villa, however after an 11 month long, unsuccessful search, the mission officially ended in February 1917.  General Pershing failed in this expedition.

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General John J. Pershing's rise in ranks was quite controversial.  He was given the rank of Brigadier General, in his appointment,  800 higher ranking officers we passed over.  This appeared to the public as favoritism by President Wilson, because Pershing's father in law happened to be a U.S. Senator.

Others people took Pershing's rapid rise in rank as being awarded to an individual with superior leadership and ability.

I feel that both, his leadership abilities seem to have him promoted from West Point, into his career, and being the son in law of a prominent Senator, probably increased his reputation in Washington D. C.

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There's no denying the ambition of General Pershing.  As a young man he was a very hard worker, which followed him throughout his life and career.

There are contradictory historical facts about John J. Pershing.  Regardless of the controversies about the General, there is no denying that he was one of America's most accomplished generals to command the United States military.

He sustained an unbearable loss of his wife and three daughters to a house fire.  Many say he was never the same, which may have contributed to his calloused leadership.

He was human and had flaws and failures, as we all do.  The failure to capture Pancho Villa had much to do with the rejection of utilizing the railroads, the treacherous and unmapped land in the area, and being forced to be guided by locals, contributed to his failure in capturing the elusive Pancho Villa.

He transformed the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) within 18 months, from 120,000 to around 2,000,000.  These men were unprepared for war when he took command, and he turned them into a skilled force to be reckoned with.

General J. Pershing died on July 15, 1948, and was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.  Per his wishes his gravestone was to remain simple, and placed near the gravesites of his “Doughboys” from World War I.

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Fleming, T. (2018), Iron General.  History.net. https://www.historynet.com/iron-general/

Lengel, E.G. (2013), Pershing Makes an Army.  Military History, 30(3), 18. https://web.s.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=11&sid=005e062c-c2e1-4d7e-99c9-66f962584add%40redis&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPWlwLHVpZCZzaXRlPWVob3N0LWxpdmU%3d#AN=88400465&db=a9h

Smith, S. (2022), Gen. John Pershing Shows You How To Do More With Less.  Investor’s Business Daily.

https://www.investors.com/news/management/leaders-and-success/gen-john-pershing-shows-you-how-to-do-more-with-less/

Vandiver, F.E., (date unknown), Pershing and the Anatomy of Leadership.  Doughboy Center, The Story of the American Expeditionary Forces. http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/pervandiver.htm