General John J. Pershing

Born - September 13, 1860 near Laclede, in Linn County, MO

Died - July 15, 1948

Early Life

He was the first child born to John Fletcher Pershing and Ann Thompson Pershing. John had eight younger siblings, but only five survived to adulthood. His family suffered greatly from an economic depression in 1873. When John was fourteen, he was put in charge of the family while his father was on the road as a traveling salesman. John graduated with a teaching degree from Kirksville Normal School, then went to West Point and graduated in 1882.

Missouri Connection

General Pershing was born and raised in Missouri. He taught several years in Missouri after graduating high school. Then he graduated with a college degree from Kirksville Normal School in Kirksville, MO.

Claim to Fame

General John J. Pershing commanded the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in Europe during World War I. He became a master of military tactics through his training at the United States Military Academy and his teaching at West Point. Organizing, training, and leading all American land forces in the AEF marked Pershing as one of history's great military leaders. Four years after World War I began, he established an army of two million soldiers who brought the conflict to an end in 200 days. Congress promoted Pershing to the rank of “General of the Armies of the United States” in 1919. He and George Washington are the only two people who have received this honor.

Later Life

After his retirement, he served as chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Over the course of his military career, General Pershing commanded several famous Americans, including fellow Missourian and future President Harry S Truma, General George S. Patton, General and later U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall, and General Douglas MacArthur, making General Pershing one of America’s most influential military leaders.

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