The general’s experiences prior to WWI allowed him to develop his skills, judgement, and knowledge of out-strategizing the enemy.  Operationally, he was able to make the most of the resources that he had been allotted and was able to demonstrate interoperational cooperation with other forces to supplement what his troops needed.  Upon entering the European battle theater, Pershing was confronted with a new modern warfare which he ultimately was successful by applying his understanding and visualization for warfare to the large-scale logistical requirements seen throughout WWI.

His greatest demonstration of leadership was during the Meuse-Argonne offensive when he was able to admit his mistakes and then allow others to come alongside him and provide support and new strategy.  

Not only was he respected for his military prowess, but he was equally great in his leadership skills toward mankind.  Marred by great personal tragedy, he continued to devote time and attention toward his son despite the distance that separated them. General Pershing allowed African-American servicemen to serve with the French helped ensure they had better treatment and respect for their service.   

He was a great man on and off the battlefield.  He is a prime example of how a great commander can take learned skills from the warfront and apply them to a large business enterprise.

Studies Institute Press. Retrieved from https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/GreatCommanders.pdf

Mougel, N., & Gratz, J. (2011). World War I casualties. Retrieved April 17, 2021, from http://www.centre-robert-schuman.org/userfiles/files/REPERES%20%E2%80%93%20module%201-1-1%20-%20explanatory%20notes%20%E2%80%93%20World%20War%20I%20casualties%20%E2%80%93%20EN.pdf

Spangenberger, P. (2018, June 18). Chasing villa. Retrieved April 17, 2021, from https://truewestmagazine.com/chasing-villa/#:~:text=Their%20sidearms%20were%20the%20Model,Model%201905%20and%20Model%201909%20.

1882 Enters U.S. Military Academy at West Point

1886  Graduated, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., as senior cadet captain, the highest honor conferred

1886-1890  Second lieutenant, 6th Cavalry; took part in New Mexico and Arizona Apache campaigns

1890-1891  Served in Sioux campaigns in South Dakota

1891-1895  Military instructor, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.; promoted to first lieutenant. While at Nebraska, Pershing earned a law degree, taught mathematics and formed a crack drill team that later became the nationally known Pershing Rifles. He also taught fencing to future bestselling authors Willa Cather and Dorothy Canfield Fisher.

1896  In charge of roundup of Cree Indians who were deported to Canada

1897-1898 Instructor in tactics, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.

1898  Served with 10th Cavalry, Santiago, Cuba; appointed chief officer of volunteers - Pershing’s gallantry in the Battle of San Juan Hill caught the attention of Teddy Roosevelt, who also fought his way up San Juan Hill with his “Rough Riders” regiment. After Roosevelt became president, he promoted Pershing to brigadier general over 800 more senior officers.

1898-1899  Organized Bureau of Insular Affairs and was its chief until August 1899

1899-1903  Served in Philippine Islands - There he commanded U.S troops in several Moro Rebellion battles involving warring Moro (Muslim) tribes. Before Pershing returned to the United States in 1913, he was military governor of the southern Philippines’ Moro Province.

1901  Captain, 1st Cavalry; later transferred to 15th Cavalry in order to remain in Philippines

1903-1904  Resumed staff duty in Washington, D.C., and studied at Army War College

1903-1906  Member, general staff of the army

1905  Married Helen F. Warren

1905-1906  Military attaché, Tokyo, Japan; with Tamemoto Kuroki's army in Manchuria, Mar.-Sept. 1905

1906  Promoted from captain to brigadier general

1906-1908  Commander, Fort McKinley, Philippines

1909-1913  Governor, Moro Province, Philippines

1913  Took command of 8th Cavalry Brigade, Presidio, San Francisco, Calif.; ordered to El Paso, Tex.

1915  Death of wife and their three daughters when their home burned, Presidio, San Francisco, Calif. Pershing’s son, Warren, was the fire’s only survivor. The boy subsequently was cared for by Pershing’s sisters who lived in Lincoln, thus continuing the general’s connection to Nebraska.  Pershing adores his son.  The commander continues to foster his relationship with his son while he is at war through a series of letters.  https://jjpershing.com/tag/john-and-warren-pershing/

1916-1917  Commanded troops sent to Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa

1917-1919  Commander-in-chief, American Expeditionary Forces

1919  Confirmed by Senate as general of the armies of the United States

1921-1924  Chief of staff, United States Army

1931  Published My Experiences in the World War. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Co.

1932 Wins Pulitzer Prize for memoirs.  In his acceptance speech, he recognized 1922 Pulitzer Prize winner Willa Cather – who was his mathematics student when he taught at Nebraska.

1946 Secretly weds French-Romanian portrait artist Micheline Resco in his Walter Reed Hospital apartment. Resco was 35 years his junior. The couple met in Paris in 1917 when Pershing arrived to command troops and exchanged love letters over 30 years.

1948, July 15  Died, Washington, D.C.