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General John J. Pershing is the most accomplished commander of the American Expedition Forces (AEF) having led American army to World War I. He helped the Allied forces beat the Central Powers in 1918 earlier that they anticipated.

Congress promoted him to the position of “General of the Armies of United States” in 1919, a rank that no other commander has ever reached (State Historical Society of Missouri, 2021).

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A section of the American Expedition Forces

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Pershing was born on 13th September 1860 in Linn County, Missouri. Despite his family’s financial difficulties, he managed to save up for college where he pursued education and later law.

He would then join the army with the purpose of benefiting from it educational programs.

Pershing was exceptional in the army participating victoriously in battles like the Sixth Cavalry and Wounded Knee. He then commanded the Tenth Cavalry and Eighth Brigade quickly earning his a promotion to the AEF (State Historical Society of Missouri, n.d; Britannica, 2021).

Pershing prided his victories in using force and knowledge on his adversaries to win.

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The US army entered World War I fighting in French and British regiment. However, Pershing changed this in 12th September 1918, launching the AEF as an independent army in Europe (Library of Congress, n.d.).

Forced to make tough decisions that risked his regiments in the hope of subduing the Central Powers, he led the AEF engaged in Battle of Cantigny, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and the Battle of St. Mihiel.

He eventually cut German lines at Sedan on 6th November 1918 bringing World War 1 to a halt (State Historical Society of Missouri, n.d). Pershing is celebrated as a great leader.

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1. Pershing was a patriotic leader
The British and French demanded the American army fight in their regiments; however, Pershing disagreed and opted to form a separate independent army for American’s own pride (The New York Times, 1946).

2. A brave and assertive leader
He courageously challenged chief of French army, Marshal Foch’s demand and plan to integrate with AEF. The deed earned him rivalry to the point other leaders wanted him out; however, he stood his ground in forming an independent army (The New York Times, 1946).

3. Pershing was a devoted leader
After dispatch to the war, Pershing had to build the army from scratch as his requests for soldiers got him a supply of about two million inexperienced men. He organized and trained these men becoming the best army in the war (PBS, 2021).

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Over-reliance on high-risk war tactics

Pershing relied heavily on frontal assaults even after the Allied stopped such war tactics causing high American casualties (Sheffield, 2002).

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After appointment as commander of AEF, he came to the aid of the French fatigued troops by bringing in and molding strong American forces that would later win the war.

He introduced the first tank battalion strengthening the Allied with advanced weaponry.

He used detailed operation orders that helped the army interpret his intentions and work in unity.

Pershing gave African-American soldiers opportunities to rise in command and rank under the French leadership, bringing honor to the minority group at a time of high racial segregation.

Pershing and AEF brought defeated the Germans at Sedan bringing victory to the Allied forces (Library of Congress, n.d) .

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John J. Pershing, a military commander whose brilliant career earned him the title General of the Armies of the United States, died on July 15, 1948. The first general awarded the title since George Washington, Pershing was given a hero's burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

John J. Pershing, General, U.S.A. Theodor Horydczak, photographer, ca. 1920-1950. Horydczak Collection. Prints & Photographs Division

Pershing was born in Laclede, Missouri, on September 13, 1860, the first of six children. His mother taught him at home, helping to inspire in him a love of learning. He realized his dream of attaining a formal college education when he won a scholarship to the U.S. Military Academy.

After graduating from West Point in 1886, Pershing was given command of the 6th Cavalry Regiment in the West, where he participated in the Apache and Sioux campaigns. He was promoted to first lieutenant of the 10th Cavalry Regiment in Montana, one of several segregated regiments formed after passage of an 1866 law authorizing the U.S. Army to form cavalry and infantry regiments of black soldiers. Reflecting the racial prejudices of the era, the law also stipulated that the units be commanded by white officers. Pershing expressed his admiration for the black soldiers under his command forcefully and often, earning for himself the honorary nickname of "Black Jack."

After a period teaching military science at the University of Nebraska and at West Point, Pershing was commissioned to Chickamauga, Georgia, to command a regiment bound for Cuba. He distinguished himself for his composure under fire during the Spanish-American War in both Cuba and the Philippines, and was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in the Battles of Santiago and San Juan Hill. The African-American troops of the 9th and 10th Cavalry divisions played a prominent role in these battles, fighting bravely beside the volunteer Rough Riders.

Pershing's later service in the Philippines and as military attaché in Japan, where he was an official observer of the Russo-Japanese War, won him praise and promotion from President Theodore Roosevelt. His tact in handling the restrictions imposed on the movements of the American forces in Mexico during his command of the expedition in pursuit of Pancho Villa earned him the notice of President Woodrow Wilson.

Copy Photo: Pancho Villa, Alvaro Obregon and John J. Pershing, August 27, 1914. Robert Runyon, photographer. Runyon (Robert) Photograph CollectionExternal . Briscoe Center for American History. University of Texas/Austin

After the United States entered the First World War on April 6, 1917, Wilson appointed Pershing commander of the American Expeditionary Forces to Europe. Coming to the aid of the trench-fatigued French troops, Pershing galvanized the novice American forces, molding them into a fighting army to be reckoned with. Because of advances in sound technology, General Pershing was recorded in the field during WWI. His patriotic message of April 4, 1918 was recorded at American field headquarters during the battle of Picardy and Flanders. You may listen to this recording. In it, he said:

Three thousand miles from home, an American army is fighting for you. Everything you hold worthwhile is at stake. Only the hardest blows can win against the enemy we are fighting. Invoking the spirit of our forefathers, the army asks your unshrinking support, to the end that the high ideals for which America stands may endure upon the earth.

"From the Battlefields of France." General John J. Pershing, speaker. New York: Made by the Columbia Gramophone Co., c1918. American Leaders Speak: Recordings from World War I. Motion Picture, Broadcasting & Recorded Sound Division.

Pershing introduced the first tank battalion used in battle by the American armed forces and made effective use of detailed operational orders that enabled his combat commanders to interpret his intentions on the field. Although the American armed forces continued to be segregated, General Pershing attempted to give African-American soldiers the opportunity to advance in command by placing them under the leadership of the French who were able to honor them as they deserved. Under Pershing's leadership, the First U.S. Army helped bring an end to the stalemate with Germany, hastening the Armistice.

After WWI ended, Pershing was welcomed home with celebrations, including parades, which were big news in the press. American newspapers, including the New York Times and New York Tribune featured multi-page stories about such a parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City in September 1919. As Paul Thompson wrote in the New York Tribune on September 14:

General Pershing's composite regiment of six-footers, who have been his escort in the great peace pageants of Paris and London, swing down the Avenue in close formation behind their commander in chief to the cheers of New York's hundreds of thousands. "Pershing's Own," which held the post of honor in the great parade are hand-picked regulars and received a tremendous ovation all along the line.

New York Tribune, September 14, 1919, graphic section, page 1. Newspaper Pictorials: World War I Rotogravures, 1914 to 1919. Serial & Government Publications Division

New York Tribune, September 14, 1919, graphic section, page 2-3. Newspaper Pictorials: World War I Rotogravures, 1914 to 1919. Serial & Government Publications Division

Pershing was impressed by the military bands he had seen in Europe, and after the war set out to create one for the U.S. Army. He believed that bands played a vital role in troop morale and efficiency. His 1922 order said: "You will organize and equip The Army Band." Since its inception that year, the United States Army Band External has been known as Pershing's Own. Read about and listen to the U.S. Army Band, Pershing's Own, perform The Army Goes Rolling Along.

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John J. Pershing, a military commander whose brilliant career earned him the title General of the Armies of the United States, died on July 15, 1948. The first general awarded the title since George Washington, Pershing was given a hero's burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Pershing failure was his extreme use of force and delay in calling for ceasefire after the war causing high American casualties

Pershing delayed at approving the armistice despite a ceasefire. The army continued with offensive actions and assaults leading to more than 11,000 casualties, more death tolls, and missing, and injured soldier (Finn, 2018). This saw him questioned by Congress on the many American casualties.

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General John J. Pershing is an important historical figure as he is America’s most accomplished general. He elevated the European Allied forced as a commander of the AEF in World War I and helped them defeat the Central Powers.

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General John J. Pershing is an is renowned for his efforts and victory in World War I.

Despite his humble background and difficulties, he rose to unimaginable heroic status earning honorable titles in US history.

He is one of the most patriotic, brave, and devoted leaders in the army inspiring many during and after his time.

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Britannica. (2021, September 9). John J. Pershing. Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2021,.  https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-J-Pershing

Finn, T. (2018, November 9). The war that did not end at 11am on 11 November.  https://history.blog.gov.uk/2018/11/09/the-war-that-did-not-end-at-11am-on-11-november/

Library of Congress. (n.d.). Great War & Jazz Age (1914-1928).  https://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/jazz/jb_jazz_pershing_1.html

Library of Congress. (n.d). General John J. Pershing.  https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/july-15/

PBS. (2021). General John J. Pershing.  https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/macarthur-general-john-j-pershing/

Sheffield, G. (2002). Forgotten Victory: The First World War: Myths and Realities . London: Headline Book Publishing.

State Historical Society of Missouri. (n.d). John J. Pershing.  https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/john-pershing

The New York Times. (1946, July 6). Leadership, Personal Courage, Devotion to Troops Won for Pershing Affection of Nation. The New York Times.  https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0913.html

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Shieka Dixon
12-20-21
HS315