Attributes

·         In the First World War, Pershing was fighting German forces, but also pressured to turn over his men to a more experienced and battle depleted Allied Forces. Pershing followed Wilson’s orders and was able to keep the U.S. Forces independent and gain international order and respect.

·         Pershing took advantage of the Allied Forces resources such as artillery, planes, and tanks.

·         Colonel Theodore Baldwin said that Pershing “was the coolest and bravest man I ever saw under fire in my life.”

·         Pershing also had strength of character and credited his subordinates for his success. Pershing Said “When viewed as a whole, it is believed that history gives no parallel of such an undertaking with so large an army. . . . It was only my absolute faith in the energy and resourcefulness of our officers of both staff and line and the resolute and aggressive courage of our soldiers that permitted me to accept such a prodigious task.”

Flaws

·         Pershing had operational, tactical, and logistical flaws. He was a better vision and long-term strategy leader like a CEO rather than tactical or operational leader.

·         Pershing was feared and respected but would not be considered warm or inviting. He was a no-nonsense type of leader.

·         Pershing was not one to challenge authority and only challenged or questioned through the proper channels.

Accomplishments

· “In 1906, he was promoted to Brigadier General, skipping over 862 senior officers” (National Park Service n.d.).

· “In 1913, Pershing successfully led troops to overtake outlaw Moros in the Mount Bagsak campaign, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal” (National Park Service n.d.).

· In 1917, Pershing was given the command of the American Expeditionary Force.

· In 1918, Pershing led the American troops to victories against the german forces in the Battle of Belleau Wood and the Battle of Chateau-Thierry.

· In September 1918, Pershing successfully led American and French forces in an offensive against the German line in the Saint-Mihiel salient. This victory proved the competency and quality of the American troops and was followed by the final offensive of the war, Meuse-Argonne

· “Black Jack Pershing returned to the United States in 1919, where he was hailed as an American hero. He was promoted to a rank never attained before, General of the Armies, the highest American military rank. He served as Chief of Staff to the White House until the end of his military career” (National Park Service n.d.).

· “Pershing reorganized the Army. Among his achievements, Pershing updated military training techniques, emphasized physical fitness, and started professional schools for officers” (National Park Service n.d.).

Failures

· In 1916 – 1917, Pershing led around 10,000 men, on several expeditions into Mexico to capture Francisco “Pancho” Villa. Villa was never caught but a deal with the Mexican government was put in place to not allow outlaws such as “Pancho” Villa from entering the United States.

· “The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the largest operation of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I, with over a million American soldiers participating. It was also the deadliest campaign in American history, resulting in over 26,000 soldiers being killed in action (KIA) and over 120,000 total casualties” (National Archives n.d.)