John J. Pershing

John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948) was an officer in the United States Army. Pershing eventually rose to the highest rank ever held in the United States military, equivalent only to the posthumous rank of George Washington: General of the Armies. He was born near Laclede, Missouri and graduated from United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1886.

Later career

In 1920, in recognition of his distinguished service during World War I, the US Congress authorized the President to promote Pershing to General of the Armies of the United States, a rank created especially for him and one that only he held at the time (Lieutenant General George Washington was posthumously promoted to this rank by President Gerald Ford in 1976). Pershing was authorized to create his insignia for the new rank but declined, wearing the four stars of a regular General for the duration of his career.

Related Topics:
US Congress - General of the Armies of the United States - George Washington - Gerald Ford

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There was a movement to make Pershing President of the United States in 1920, but he refused to actively campaign. In a newspaper article he said that he "wouldn't decline to serve" if the people wanted him and this made front page headlines. However Pershing was a Republican Party member, and many Republican Party leaders considered Pershing too closely tied to the policies of Democratic Party President Wilson. The Republican nomination went to Warren G. Harding who won the 1920 Presidential election.

Related Topics:
President of the United States - Republican Party - Democratic Party - Warren G. Harding - 1920 Presidential election

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In 1921, Pershing became Chief of Staff of the United States Army and served at this posting for three years. In 1924, now sixty four years old, Pershing retired from active military service but continued to be listed on the active duty rolls as part of his commission as General of the Armies.

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During the 1930s, Pershing maintained a private life but was made famous by his memoirs, My Experiences in the World War, which were awarded the 1932 Pulitzer Prize for history.

Related Topics:
My Experiences in the World War - 1932 Pulitzer Prize

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In 1940, Pershing was an outspoken advocate of aid for the United Kingdom during World War II. After the United States entered the conflict, he was honored with having his image appear on the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal, created in 1941 in tribute to his leadership during the First World War.

Related Topics:
1940 - United Kingdom - World War II - Army of Occupation of Germany Medal

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In 1944, with the creation of the new five star rank General of the Army, Pershing was acknowledged as the highest ranking officer of the United States military. When asked if this made Pershing a Six Star General, the then Secretary of War (Henry L. Stimson) commented that it did not, since Pershing never wore more than four stars but that Pershing was still to be considered senior to the present 5 Star Generals of World War II

Related Topics:
General of the Army - Secretary of War - Henry L. Stimson

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Pershing lived through the entirety of World War II to see America's victory. On July 15, 1948 he died and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, near the gravesites of the soldiers he commanded in Europe, after a state funeral. During the funeral, the most famous riderless horse, Black Jack, was named for Pershing because of Pershing's nickname.

Related Topics:
Arlington National Cemetery - Riderless horse

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In honor of Pershing's service to his country, the Pershing missile and Pershing tank were later named after him. In addition, Pershing County, in the state of Nevada, is named in his honor. and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad named a diesel engined streamliner train after him in 1939 (known as the General Pershing Zephyr. Various streets, civic center, and towns are today named in honor of John J. Pershing.

Related Topics:
Pershing missile - Pershing tank - Pershing County - Nevada - Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad - Diesel engine - Streamliner - 1939 - General Pershing Zephyr

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