Figure 1.--This is General Peshing and an unidentifierd boy aboard the 'USAT Northern Pacific., presumably in a French port. The photograph is undated, but was apparently taken after the War. USAT mewans U.S. Army Transport. It was a troop ship that helped bring the the AEF to France nd after the War back to America. The boy is an American boy and aeader tells us, probanly his son Warren. A reader tells us, "The boy is almost certainly his son Warren, the only child to survive the conflagration of the family home at the Presidio in 1915. His son travelled with him on trips to Europe after the General Retired in 1924, which is too late for 'USAT Northern Pacific', which was fired by then. I would suspect the picture to be from the General's 1920 or 1921 trips to Europe. General Marshall's writings confirm that Pershing travelled to France each year he was Chief of Staff, beginning in 1921, so I lean toward 1921."

John Pershing was born in Laclede, Missouri (1860). His father was a railroad section boss. The family was of Alsatian origins. They originslly spelled their name "Pfirsching". As an irony of history, Alsace would be one of the major contributing causses of World War I. Pershing began to teach school, in part because of family finances devestated by the Depression of 1873. His first school was a black school in Laclede (1877). The children were only s decsade removed from slavery. He was still teaching when he saw a notice in the local news paper which caused him to look into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He proved to be a model cadet, selected as first captain of the Corps of Cadets. He commanded black soldiers on the Wesstern frontier, earning him the nick name of Black Jack Pershing. He served in Cuba with Col. Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish American War and was subsequently assigned to the Philippines. President Wilson chose him to lead the expedition into Merxico to find Pancho Villa. General Pershing after the United States entered World War I was selected to command the American Expeditionsary Force (AEF) to France during World War I (1917-18). Many of the leading American generals in World War II served under Pershing in France. After the war he had the honor of being promoted to general of the armies, a position previously held only by George Washington. In his later years he devoted himself to writing his memoirs--My Experiences in the World War. It waswidely aclaimed and won the Pulitzer Prize for history (1932).

Family

His father was a railroad section boss. The family was of Alsatian origins. They originally spelled their name "Pfirsching". As an irony of history, Alsace would be one of the major contributing causes of World War I.

Childhood

John Pershing was born in Laclede, Missouri (1860).

Education

Teaching School (1877-82)

Pershing began to teach school, in part because of family finances devestated by the Depression of 1873. His first school was a black school in Laclede (1877). The children were only s decsade removed from slavery. He moved to the Prairie Mound school district (1879).

West Point (1882-86)

Pershing was still teaching when he saw a notice in the local newspaper which caused him to look into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was the leading candidate in a cometitive exam to determine the appointment to the Asacemy (1881). To prepare academically for the Academy, he attended a tutoring academy run by former Confederate officer Colonel Caleb Huse for six months after which he entered West Point (1882). One source says he earned his nick name Black Jack. I thought it came from his command of black calvalry soldiers. We'll have to look into this. He proved to be a model cadet, selected as first captain of the Corps of Cadets. He ranked 30th in his class at graduation (1886).

Army Assignments (1886-98)

Newly minted 2nd Lt. John Pershing was assigned to the 6th Cavalry at Fort Bayard, New Mexico (1886). He participated in the tragic Wounded Knee campaign. After 5 years with the calvalry on the Wstern frontier, the Army assigned Pershing to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln as military science professor (1891). He taught there for 4 years. While there he met future general officer and Vice-President (under President Coolidge), Charles Dawes. While teaching he studied law. Next he received different Calvalry assinments (1895-96). This included the 10th Cavalry where he returned west and commanded black Buffalo Calvalry Soldiers. Then he was appointed Assistant Instructor of Tactics at West Point (1897-98).

Spanish-American War (1898-99)

The United States declared war on Spain (April 25, 1898). While the Spanish-American War had been brewing for some time, the Army was llprepared. The Army preparing for the War, reassigned Pershing back to the 10th Cavalry (May 1898). The 10th Calvalry was deployed to Cuba. There he and Col. Theodore Roosevelt were involved on assaults on Kettle and San Juan Hill which led to the fall of Satiago (July 1898). Civil War veteran Lt. Col. T.A. Baldwin, in his dispatches singled out Pershing as the "the coolest man I ever saw under fire..." After Cuba was secured, the Army ordered Pershing to the Philippines where he was to the Eighth Army Corps and involved in putting down the Philippines Insurection. Pershing was primarily involved in fighting Moro tribesmen. in the south. He was promoted to Captain. While in the Philippines he served as as an adjutant, engineer, customs officers and cavalry commander.

Marriage and Family Life (1905)

Pershing returned from the Philippines and was assigned to the War Department in Washington (1903). While in Washington he met Frances Warren, daughter of Wyoming senator Francis E. Warren. The couple married at the Church of the Epiphany (1905). The first of the four Pershing children, Helen Elizabeth, was born (September 1906). Pershing suffered a devestating personal tragedy (August 1915). Frances and the three Pershing daughters are killed in a fire at the Presidio (August 1915). Pershing returns to San Francisco to attend the funeral and bring his son Warren to Fort Bliss in Texas.

Japan (1905-06)

The Army assihned Pershing to be Military Attache in Tokyo (1905). His new wife accompanied him. While there he served as an observer to Russo-Japanese War (March September 1905). The fighting took place on the border between modern Russia and Kora. The Japanese beseigned the Russian naval base at Port Arthur.

Promotion (1906)

Pershing after returning from Japan wasstill a captain. The Arnmy at the time was still very small and thus promotions difficult to come by. They were mostly allocated by seniority. President Roosevelt who had fought alongside Pershing in Cuba decided to promote him to Brigadier General over 862 senior officers (1906). Higher level promotions are not uncommonly political. It was not often they result from conrades fighting together. Roosevelt would be out of government during World War I. This action had a huge impsact on the War. Without it, Pershing almost certsainly would not have commsanded the AEF. Pershing was assigned to command the Department of California, and Fort McKinley.

Second Philippines Tour (1909-13)

Pershing was ordered back to the Philippines (1909). He commanded a successful assault on Moro stronghold at Mount Bagsak on the Island of Jolo. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor. He notably wrote to the Adjutant General stating that he did not believe he was entitled to the award. He subsequently served as governor of the Moro Province and then military commander of Mindanao, the big southen island.

Mexican Expedition (1915-16)

The Mexican Revolution erupts (1910). Pershing is assigned to command of the Presidio at San Francisco and the 8th Brigade. The Army moves the Brigade to the volitile Mexican border. Pershing is second-in-command to Maj. Gen. Frederick Funston. Pancho Villa enraged by American support for his reival, Venustiano Carranza, raided Columbus, New Mexico (March 9, 1916). President Wilson choses Pershing to lead the expedition into Merxico to arrest Pancho Villa. Within days Pershing and a force of almost 10,000 men cross the border in pursuit of Villa. After 10 frustrating months, President Wilson orders the Expeditionay Force home (February 1917). The German Government's incresingly aggressive policy forced the move.

World War I

World War I broke out (1914). The United States declared its neuteality and attempted to mediate, but none of the beligerant powers were interested in mediation. After a German U-boat sunk the Britsh liner Leusitania killing many Anericans, President Wilson made it clear to the Gemans that unrestricted submarine warfare was unacceptable. German backed away from war at that time and restricted their U-boats. After 3-years of War and horendous lossdes, the German decided to reinstitute unrestricted submsarine warfare. The German Navy assured the Reichstag that the U-bosts would prevent the Americans from transporting an army to France. The United States then declared war on Germany (April 6, 1917).

Selection of Pershing

President Wilson selected Pershing to command the American Expeditionsary Force (AEF) to France. Pershing was promoted to Major General after the death of his immediate commsander, Frederick Funston. Later he same day, Secretary of War Newton Baker calls Pershing to his office to inform him that he is to command the AEF (May 10, 1917). President Wilson orders Pershing "to proceed to France at as early a date as practicable." (May 19) The problem for Pershing and the Allies is thsat the United States did not have an army ready for deploument. The U.S. Army that existed was inconsequential in World war terms. Wilson amnd the military decided to proceed to deploy conscripts to France where they could be equipped and trained while training also went on in America. Pershing and a small staff departs aboard the White Star liner Baltic (May 28). Pershing arrives in Liverpool (June 8). Many of the leading American generals in World War II served under Pershing in France.

The AEF (1917-19)

When Pershing arrived in France, the French were shocked. They had expected a large American Army. Pershing did not bring an army with him because there was no such army. The French were stunned that a country the size of the United States would have such a pitifully small army. The Allies made it very clear that what was needed was men, A large America Army was critically needed. America as late as Spring 1917 only had a small volunteer force. The United States would have to recruit, train, and equip its army and this would take some time. The Germans knew this and gambled that the U-boat campaign and their massive Spring 1918 offensive would win the War before the Americans could intervene in force. Pershing reached France with only a smll staff. For months only a small trickle of troops followed. There were, however, American troops in France by the time the Germans launched their vaunted Sring 1918 Offensive and the AEF had reached 0.5 million (May 1918). The arrival of the Americans was critical. They played an important role in stopping the Germans. The Germans almost succeeded in breaking the Allies Western Front. Thus the AEF while still relatively small, was crucial. Pershing respponding to the urgent pleas from the Allies committed available U.S. units to help the French hold the Western Front. U.S. troops fought at Aisne Offensive (May 1918) and on the Marne (June 1918). Pershing insisted that the AEF, however, be deployed as an army and not piecemeal within British and French armies. Significant numbers of American soldiers did not begin to arrive in France until the summer of 1918. At that time about 10,000 Americans arrived daily, unimpeded by the U-boats. And by Summer 1918 American soldiers were arriving in large numbers. As the Allies after stopping the Germans began to think about their offensive, the AEF had begun to reach sizeable numbers, over a million men (July 1918). Pershing launched the first AEF offensive at St Mihiel (September) and Meuse-Argonne (October). The United States sent over 2 million men to Europe, mostly to France. And more were being trained in America had they been needed. Many of the men who reached France were never committed because the Germans requested an armistice before they were needed. The AEF sustained 264,000 casualties which including nearly 51,000 killed in action and an additional 25,000 who died as a result of disease. About 10 percent of the AEF were segregated black units. They were mostly used in non-combat roles. About 40,000 were trained as combat soldies. They were assigned to fight with French units.

Return Home (1919)

General Pershing left France aboard the Leviathan, personally seen off by Marshall Foch (September 1, 1919). He arrives in Hoboken, New Jersey (September 8). Pershing leads a victory parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington (September 17). He addresses a Joint Session of Congress (September 19).

Later Life

Pershing is appointed Army Chief of Staff (1921). He had the honor of being promoted to general of the armies, a position previously held only by George Washington. Pershing on his 64th birthday retired from the Army (1924). The previouds night become the first Chief of Staff to address the nation coast-to-coast on the radio. In his later years he devoted himself to writing his memoirs--My Experiences in the World War. It waswidely aclaimed and won the Pulitzer Prize for history (1932). Pershing played an active role on the American Battle Monuments Commission. He travekled to France to attended the opening of the Meuse-Argonne Monument on Montfaucon (1937). Pershing while vacationing in Tucson, Arizona is struck with a severe coronary/renal ailment and lapses into a coma (1938). He is expected to die and preparations begin for his funeral. He makes what can only be described as a miraculous recovery. Pershing warns that the United States active and reserve forces were no longer adequate for American defenseneeds (1939). He makes his last visit to the American war cemeteries and memorials in France just before the outbreak of World War II. As his health deteriorates, Pershing moves his permanent residence to the Walter Reed Army hospital in Washington. There he receives important visitors. His former subordinates now given commands in another world war visit him. He is occasionally quoted by thepress concerning World War II developments. He dies and is buried at Arlington National Cemetary. True to his chsarsacter, he has selected a standard gravestone.

Sources

Pershing, John J. My Experiences in the World War.

Editors of the Army Times The Yanks are Coming: The Story of General John J. Pershing (Putnam's, 1960).

Created: 8:31 PM 8/9/2009
Last updated: 9:38 PM 11/23/2015