John Pershing

By Author: Henry Ford
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John Joseph Pershing was a General Officer of the United States army. John Pershing is considered to have been the only person who was promoted during his lifetime to the highest rank that has ever been achieved in the history United States Army, the post of General of Armies. He also held the first the first officer service number (0-1) in the United Stats army. Pershing fought with the American Expeditionary Forces during the World War 1. He is also considered to be a mentor of a generation of Generals who later commanded the United States Army during the Second World War. Bright U.S Generals like George Marshall, Dwight Eisenhower, and others who remain influential generals in the history of the United States.
Pershing was born on September 13, 1860 in Laclede, Missouri. He was the son of the businessman John Fletcher and Ann Thompson, who was a home maker. Pershing had three sisters and two brothers. Pershing went to school in Laclede. He attended a school which had been reserved for the precocious students and children who were born of important people in the society. He completed his education in 1878 to become ...
... a teacher in a local school African American that catered for African American children. From his experience with African American children, Pershing learnt important racial issues which became an asset when he worked as a commander of African American soldiers. After teaching for two years, he joined North Missouri Normal School, which is currently Truman State University, in 1880. Two years after attending the school, he was admitted to the United States Military Academy and at the same time attended West Point which was considered to have good education than in rural Missouri.
In 1882, he was sworn in as West Point Cadet. Due to his leadership skills, he rose through the ranks quickly to become First Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and later a Captain, which was the highest rank that could be attained by a cadet. He graduated from West Point in 1886 and was immediately recommended for his superb leadership skills. In the same year, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of United States Army at an early age of 26 years.
On September 30, 1886, John Pershing was confirmed an active duty officer and was attached to U.S 6th Cavalry in Fort Fayard. In the 6th Cavalry, he participated in a number of India campaigns. He was considered a brave officer especially in campaigns against Apache. He later served at Fort Stanton where he became great friends with Penn, Paddock to form ‘Three Green P’s’. From 1887 and 1890, he served at various stations with 6th Calvary in California, Arizona, North Dakota, and others. In 1891, he became marksman and was rated 2nd in pistol and 5th in rifle in United States.
In 1895, he was moved to University of Nebraska as an instructor in military tactics. He attended the law school in Nebraska graduating in 1893. He found the Company A, which was a drilling group that won several awards. In 1894, it changed its name to Pershing Riffles, to honor the founder. In 1895, he was appointed as First Lieutenant and commanded the 10th Cavalry Regiment. This Calvary was comprised of African American soldiers who were commanded by White officers. In 1897, he was appointed as an instructor based at West Point as a joint tactical staff. During the Spanish and Philippine-American Wars, he fought a long with 10th Cavalry in Cuba. He served in Brevet rank where he commanded major volunteers. Due to his brave actions during the war, he was awarded the Silver Citation Star in 1919 and later Silver Star Medal in 1932. Later in 1899, he was posted to Manila when Philippine-American war broke out.
However, his brevet commission was revoked and was taken back as a Captain in Regular Army. He served in different areas with 1st Calvary Regiment and late 15th Cavalry Regiment where he served as intelligence officers.
In 1903, Pershing returned back to United States. He was particularly noted by President Theodore Roosevelt who asked Army General Staff to promote Pershing to a Colonel. However, the Army General Staff could not bend the promotion system which was based on seniority to accommodate Pershing’s merit. Although this angered the president, he had no power to promote Pershing. In 1904, he went to Army War College but was later moved to Washington. Since the President was still willing to promote Pershing he petitioned the congress which authorized Pershing diplomatic posting as military attaché to Tokyo. In the same year, he married Hellene Warren, daughter of powerful senate member and this also catapulted his military career. During this stay in Japan, he served as an observer in Russo-Japanese War and later returned to United States in 1905.
After return to United States, the president used prerogative power and appointed him as a brigadier general. It should be understood that through the appointment, he out staged more than 835 senior officers and this angered most Army Officers who argued that Pershing promotion was based on political connection rather than military prowess. However, the promotion was supported by other officers who had recognized his military abilities.
In 1908, he was posted in Balkans as a military observer and later to Philippines. In Philippines he served as Commander at Fort McKinley in Manila as well as a governor of Moro Province. In 1914, he was commanded to lead Army 8th Calvary Regiment at Fort Bliss to secure U.S-Mexican border. In 1916, he led the army on failed Punitive Expedition where they were searching for revolutionary lead Pancho Villa. On August 1915, he received a telegram which informed of death of his wife and three daughters. Of the four children that had been born in Philippines, one six year old son Warren had survived while her three daughters and their mother had perished. This was a shock he never recovered from in his life.
At the beginning of the Second World War, Pershing was still commanding the 8th Infantry at Fort Bliss. Following the death of Frederick Funston who had been appointed to head American Expeditionary Force, Pershing held the post of Funston until 1918. He was promoted from Major General to Full General in American National Army. He was mandated to organize, train and supply army force that great grew from twenty seven thousands to more than two million solders. Pershing was given full authority to make military decision without political interferences. Understanding racial dimension in the army, he did not allow full participation of African American soldiers in the war. He was assisted by George C. Marshall and in 1917 he arrived in France with 16th Infantry Regiment.
In 1918, he oversaw the establishment of US Army MP School. The school was dedicated to train paramilitary police. He is therefore considered to be the founding father of the Military Police. In 1918, he also oversaw designing and creation of military combat boot famously referred to as ‘1918 Trench Boot’ and later renamed Pershing boot.

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