From Cuba he went on to Mindanao and it was her that his leadership and his political smarts would make him stand out even more. He became the military governor of Moro Province. These accomplishments both military and political became known. Theodore Roosevelt recognized this and promoted Pershing over 862 other officers that out-ranked him. Pershing now a brigade general went on to command the 8^th Brigade and lead them in the Mexican Revolution. During this time, he suffered a great personal loss. His wife and daughters tragically died in house fire. Even stricken with grief he led his bigrade well. His political liability gave him an advantage as well. Pershing adjusted well to the terrain changes, obstacles of civilians, and the mission changes during this time as well. Pershing was dutiful and he stood his ground when needed.

In April of 1917 the United States declared war on Germany. President Wilson wanted a say in the world peace negations and he knew to do so the United States needed to go to war and be involved as a nation, not just as back-up. President Wilson chose John J. Pershing because he knew that he was politically inclined. His political skills were so great that President Wilson and Baker (Secretary of War) allowed him to have a larger say in the construction and tactics of his army than that of other leaders. With this Pershing was able to make decisions regarding his American soldiers and deny the French and British from using U.S. troops to simply replenish their own. It gave in a say on how the American troop were utilized and allowed him to reach the goal of having an American Army in WWI rather than the U.S. troops just mixing in with the French and the British. Pershing had backing from President Wilson and would not be bullied by the French or the British. He stood his ground because he knew that he needed to establish an American Army. 

Pershing also knew that his soldiers needed sufficient training. He had never seen personally the likes of war that was happening in WWI. Pershing could see how war had changed and did the best he could to help ensure our troops were as ready as they could be in this given situation. Pershings leadership had to change as well. He wasn’t just leading into war anymore, he had so many political issues to consider as well. He became more or a manager or the CEO. He had to manage and make sure that supplies, medical, and equipment would be ready for his troops. He ordered for rail cars to be shipped overseas and so much more. He was leading in a new way and he adjusted well to it. 

Pershing also knew he needed more intelligent and skilled men to help lead the American Army and he had a talent in finding people who were right for this job. He was respected as well as feared. He was strict and if an officer did not make the cut, he “blooeyed” him. He did not let friendships get in the way of his decision making. “When asked about his feelings in removing an old friend, General Omar Bundy, from command of the 2d Division, Pershing simply said, “I don’t care. Men’s lives are involved.”” (Christopher R. Gabel Ph.D.) He also was a good listener and held officers who voiced their concerns on a higher level of respect.

Ultimately, Pershing’s decisions in WWI led to a victory. He had some good decisions and some bad decisions. He did reach the goal of having an American Army that in the end proved success. He did however, lose many soldiers making decisions to prove the American Army was sufficient for modern war fare that WWI brought about. 

             Attributes

-         He was a strict leader and demanded respect.

-         He was intelligent 

-         He could problem solve well 

-         He had a great ability to adjust to the ever-changing types of warfare 

-         He could find talents in other officers 

-         He was politically inclined

-         He had the ability to listen

-         He took time to study things he did not understand

-         He stood up for what he thought was right

-         He was dutiful

Flaws

-         His strictness at times made in unfavorable

-         He would not compromise at times

-         He was eager to prove the American Army could succeed and stand on its own two feet

 

Christopher R. Gabel Ph.D., J. H. (n.d.). Great Commanders.

Clausewitz, G. C. (1874). Chapter lll The Genius for War. In On War. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1946/1946-h/1946-h.htm#chap03

Tuchman, B. W. (1972). Generalship. Parameters. Retrieved from https://content.grantham.edu/academics/GU_HS315/tuchmanarticle.pdf