Pershing, John J. (John Joseph), 1860-1948

Career Army officer who served in the Philippines as an adjutant general and engineer officer, collector of customs, and cavalry squadron commander, participating in actions against the Tausug (Moros), 1899-1903; later apppointed governor of Moro Province and commander, Department of Mindanao, 1909-1913. Well-known for his command of the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I, 1917-1919.

Army officer.

General, U.S. Army.

American general and commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I. Pershing was the first military officer in U.S. history to attain the rank of General of the Armies.

American general.

Pershing graduated from West Point (1886); sent to Santiago, Cuba during War of 1898 and served in the Philippines (1901-1903). As a Captain he was appointed an observer of the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905); appointed Brigadier General (1906); surpressed the Moro uprising in Philippines (1913) and led a force to Mexico to pursue Pancho Villa (1916). Became Major General (1916) and appointed commander-in-chief of American Expeditionary Forces (1917-1919). Became Chief of Staff of Army (1921-1924) and retired from military service in 1924.

John J. Pershing was born September 13, 1860 in Laclede, Missouri. Having graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1886, he fought in the United States military in the Spanish-American War and several Indian Wars. He also served as brigadier general in the Philippines from 1906-1913 and led the attack against Mexican rebel Pancho Villa in 1916. Early in his military career, he served with a black regiment, giving him the nickname Black Jack. For a time, he also taught at West Point.

In 1917 when the United States declared war on Germany, Pershing was chosen to command the American troops in Europe. Pershing can claim two significant victories: the attack on the German's Saint-Mihiel line of defense and the Meuse-Argonne operations, a month after which the Armistice was signed.

Upon returning to the United States, he was given the rank of general of the American armies. For three more years he served in the military as chief of staff until his retirement in 1921.

General John Joseph Pershing passed away on July 15, 1948 in Washington D.C.

Biographical Note

John Joseph Pershing (1860-1948) was an American General who served in various conflicts including the Spanish-American War, Philippines Insurrection, and World War I.

Pershing was born in Missouri on September 13, 1860. After graduating from Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri in 1880, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1886. In 1905, Pershing married Francis Warren with whom he had three daughters and a son. Tragically, his wife and three daughters were killed in a fire in 1915.

Pershing had a long military career, serving in the Spanish-American War, the Philippines Insurrection, and the Mexican Expedition. During World War I, Pershing was appointed Commander-in-Chief of American Expeditionary Forces in France. When the war ended, he served as Chief of Staff to the United States Army. In 1919, he was awarded the title "General of the Armies of the United States" by Congress, becoming the only officer in U.S. History to hold the title other than George Washington. Pershing died on July 15, 1948 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.