John j. pershing biography

(1860-1948)

Synopsis

John J. Pershing was born in Laclede, Missouri, on September 13, 1860. He graduated from West Point Academy and went on to fight in the Indian wars as well as the Spanish-American War and the Philippines insurrection. In World War I, he commanded the American Expeditionary Force in Europe, helping bring an end to the war. He quietly retired after the war and was buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early Life

John Joseph Pershing was the first of eight children born to John F. Pershing and Anne Elizabeth Thompson Pershing of Laclede, Missouri. John’s father was a prosperous businessman, working as a merchant during the Civil War and later owning a general store in Laclede and serving as postmaster. The family lost most of its assets during the panic of 1873, and John’s father was forced to take a job as a traveling salesman while John worked on the family farm.

After high school graduation, John J. Pershing took a job teaching African American students at Prairie Mound School. He saved his money and then went to North Missouri normal school (now Truman State University) for two years. Though he grew up in an era of Civil War heroes, young John had no desire for a military career. But when an invitation to take the exam for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point came his way, he applied and received the top grade. Though not a great student (he would place 30th in a class of 77) he was elected class president, and his superiors noticed his leadership qualities. Pershing was frequently promoted, and as the funeral train of General Ulysses S. Grant crossed the Hudson River, he was commanding the West Point color guard.

Buffalo Soldier

After graduation, John J. Pershing served in the 6th Cavalry in a number of military engagements against the Sioux and Apache tribes. In the Spanish-American War he commanded the all-Black 10th Cavalry and was later awarded the Silver Citation Star (later upgraded to t

The foremost military leader of his time, John J. "Black Jack" Pershing (1860-1948) served the United States in the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, the Philippines, the Mexican Intervention, and the First World War. Pershing's leadership, organizational skills, and dedication to his missions, his men, and his country led to exceptional success in a wide variety of conflicts.

The Early Years

Pershing was born*September 13, 1860, in Laclede, Missouri, where his pro-Union father managed a general store.

The family survived the Civil War but was financially ruined in the depression of 1873. Young John worked on the family farm and, at age seventeen, began teaching at the local African American school.

He enrolled in the State Normal School in Kirksville, Missouri in 1879 and received his degree in Scientific Didactics.

Pershing initially wanted to be a lawyer, but he passed the United States Military Academy's comptetive admission exam. Though Pershing had never considered military life prior to his admission, he was attracted by the prospect of getting a first-rate education. Pershing entered West Point in 1882. Though Cadet Pershing's grades were average, his age and experience made him a natural leader.

Following his graduation in 1886, Pershing was assigned to the Sixth Cavalry Regiment on the Great Plains, where he fought in a series of Indian campaigns in New Mexico, Nebraska, and South Dakota and quickly gained recognition as a tough, competent officer.

In 1891, Lieutenant Pershing accepted a position at the University of Nebraska as Professor of Military Science and Tactics. Over the course of four years, he revitalized the once-deficient military department.

Pershing’s next assignment was in Montana, where he led the Buffalo Soldiers of the Tenth Cavalry. Around this time, Pershing acquired the nickname "Black Jack”.

Pershing was back teaching at West Point in when the Spanish-American War erupted in 1898. Lieutenant Pershing returned t

General John Joseph “Black Jack” Pershing began his rise through the ranks of the U.S. Army with distinguished service in the Spanish-American War and the Philippines. After leading U.S. forces in pursuit of the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa, Pershing served as commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) during World War I.

Early Life and Launch of Military Career

Pershing was born in 1860 near the small Missouri town of Laclede. While still a teenager, he got a job teaching at a school for African American students. After seeing an advertisement for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Pershing applied and won acceptance in 1882. He graduated four years later, ranking 30th in a class of 77.

Pershing spent the first years of his military fighting in U.S. campaigns against the Apache and Sioux Native Americans in New Mexico, Arizona and other outposts in the West. In Montana, he was promoted to first lieutenant of the 10th Cavalry, becoming one of the first white officers to command an all-Black regiment. Pershing often expressed praise and admiration for the Black soldiers he commanded, which may have earned him the nickname “Black Jack”—although an alternative theory holds it was due to his strict attitude toward discipline.

Service in the Spanish-American War and the Philippines

After spending several years teaching military science and tactics at the University of Nebraska (where he also obtained his law degree) and returning to West Point as an instructor, Pershing headed to Cuba to fight in the Spanish-American War. In 1898, he and the 10th Cavalry Regiment fought bravely in the Battles of Santiago and San Juan Hill alongside Theodore Roosevelt and his “Rough Riders.” Pershing earned a Silver Star for his service and was promoted to the rank of captain.

After the U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War, Pershing sailed for the Philippines, where he led American soldiers in repeated efforts to subdue the rebellious Moro tribes. In

On assignment with the 6th Cavalry from 1886 to 1890, Pershing performed garrison and field duties in the Southwest and Northern Plains of the United States, and participated in the Wounded Knee Campaign. During the years 1895-1896, he was assigned to th e 10th Cavalry, a unit of the 'Buffalo Soldiers' in Montana. His nickname, 'Black Jack' dates from this service. General Pershing's time spent leading black soldiers significantly affected him throughout his military career. He remained deeply conce rned with their well being and was instrumental in getting the AEF's black organizations into combat rather than being relegated to support operations in the rear.

Pershing was assigned to West Point as an Instructor of Tactics between 1897 and 1899, but in April, 1898, was re-assigned to the 10th Cavalry as quartermaster and fought at El Carney-San Juan Hill. Recovering from the malaria contracted during this peri od, he was assigned to the War Department, and in September of the same year was appointed Chief of Insular Affairs. Between 1899 and 1903, Pershing was assigned to the Philippines in Northern Mindanao during the Moro campaign.

Pershing was appointed Military Attache to Japan and observer during the 1905-1906 Russo-Japanese War, winning the rank of Brigadier General on 20 September 1906. Subsequently, in 1908, Pershing was appointed Brigade Commander, Fort McKinley, Phil ippines, and from 1909 to 1914, as Military Commander of Moro Province, the Philippines.

In 1914 he was returned home to serve as Commander, 8th Infantry Brigade, Presidio of San Francisco, California, from which, in 1916, after the deaths of his w