John J. "Black Jack" Pershing was the United States' foremost military leader of World War One. His experiences in the Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, the Philippines, Mexican Intervention and the Great War proved his significant contributions to the United States military. Pershing's leadership, organizational skills, dedication to his missions, his men, and his country led to his exceptional military success and to his recognition at the Presidio of San Francisco.

Pershing was born in Laclede, Missouri, January 13, 1860, where his pro-Union father ran the 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 seventeen he 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 while teaching at the local elementary school. Pershing planned to study law but took the admission test for the Military Academy at West Point to further his education. He passed the competitive exam and enrolled in 1882. Pershing had never considered military life prior to his admission, but was attracted by the prospect of a first rate education.

Cadet Pershing's academic grades were average, but being older and more experienced than his fellow cadets he excelled in leadership and was awarded the highest class office each year. Graduating in 1886, Pershing was assigned to the Sixth Cavalry Regiment on the Great Plains where he encountered a series of Indian campaigns in New Mexico, Nebraska, and South Dakota. He quickly gained recognition as a tough competent officer. His fitness report stated "Professional ability, most excellent; capacity for command, excellent."

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 transformed the deficient military department into one worthy of comparison to West Point. He also studied for his law degree. Pershing was next posted to Montana with a "colored troop," the Buffalo Soldiers of the Tenth Cavalry. For years, Pershing was often referred to as "Black Jack." The actual origin of the name varies from a mean spirited nickname in his cadet days to his service with the Tenth Cavalry. Either way, the name stuck throughout his career.

An assignment at West Point preceded the outbreak of the Spanish American War in 1898. The war brought Lieutenant Pershing back to the Tenth Cavalry as Quartermaster. Pershing and the Tenth excelled in the attack with the First Volunteer Cavalry "Rough Riders" to gain access to Santiago, Cuba. At San Juan Hill, on July 1, Pershing coolly led his dismounted troopers in the assault despite heavy losses. For his performance Pershing received a Silver Star. Pershing was cited "exhibited great bravery obeying orders with unflinching alacrity. The assault on San Juan Hill also brought Pershing the favorable notice of the commander of the Rough Riders, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt.

Lieutenant Pershing returned to Washington in the position of Chief of Customs and Insular Affairs for Cuba and Puerto Rico. He was then transferred to the Philippines. Assigned to the Eighth Corps and later the Fifteenth Cavalry, he worked at pacifying uprisings of the indigenous Moslems, the Moros. Pershing studied Moro dialects and culture. He read the Koran and formed personal ties with Moro chieftains. His success with the Moros led to permanent promotion to Captain in 1901. Pershing directed the campaign at Lake Lanao in which he led troops through the jungle to an isolated location to disarm the Maciu Moros. For this success Pershing was hailed as an American hero upon his return to the States in 1903. President Roosevelt mentioned Pershing by name in an address to Congress advocating promotion of military officers by merit.

During his next assignment in Washington, Captain Pershing met a recent Wellesley graduate, Helen Frances Warren, daughter of United States Senator Francis E. Warren of Wyoming. Twenty years her senior, Pershing recalled the night he met Frances Warren. "I've met the girl I'm going to marry!" Miss Warren, an accomplished swimmer and horsewoman, was similarly charmed. Describing a social gathering, she wrote: "Danced every dance but one, and have lost my heart to Captain Pershing irretrievably." The courtship lasted a year, sustained by traditional wooing and love letters. Pershing's cool persona seemed to dissolve around the Senator's daughter: "Millions of kisses from the craziest lover that ever wrote a line to his sweetheart. Wife and sweetheart in one, and that one, all mine." The two were married in a wedding attended by President Theodore Roosevelt just days before shipping out to Tokyo, Japan, where Pershing would be a military attaché and observer of the Russo-Japanese War.

Again Captain Pershing's work was worthy of attention. In 1906 John J. Pershing was one of five junior officers promoted to Brigadier General, skipping over 862 senior officers. The promotion prompted speculation about Pershing's connection to his father-in-law, the Chairman of the Senate's Military Affairs Committee. Most of the negative comments came from political opponents of the Senator and senior officers angered at being passed over. Pershing's exceptional work in the Philippines, particularly his leadership and organizational skills was noted as the official reason for advancement by President Roosevelt, an advocate of military reform that promotion should be based on merit not seniority.

Brigadier General Pershing was sent back to the Philippines to command Fort McKinley. During this second stay in the Philippines, Pershing worked again with the Moros constructing a constitution and organizing a local government. In 1913, Pershing successfully led troops to overtake outlaw Moros, of which he said "the only principle for which they fought was the right to pillage and murder without molestation from the government." The takeover of the Mount Bagsak campaign earned Pershing the Distinguished Service Medal.

John and Frances Pershing pose with
Helen, Ann, Warren and the family cat.
Credit: Library of Congress

The Pershings would have four children in the six year period from 1906 to 1912. Like most typical military families, the birthplaces of the Pershing children would show a wide variety of postings. Helen Elizabeth born in Tokyo, Japan, September 1906; Ann born in Baguio, Philippines, March 1908; a son Francis Warren born while the family was on leave in Cheyenne, Wyoming, June 1909; and Mary Margaret born May 1912 in Zamboanga, Philippines.

The General took command of the Eighth Infantry Brigade at the Presidio of San Francisco on January 13, 1914. At that time the political situation in Mexico was tumultuous. Several attempts at revolution had resulted in a state of anarchy. Americans living on the border were growing concerned and the Eighth Infantry was transferred to Fort Bliss, Texas, to patrol the border. The political tensions did not improve, and Pershing made plans to relocate his family to Fort Bliss.

Mrs. Pershing and the children had remained at the Presidio residing in a large two story Victorian house located next to the Main Post parade ground. Frances apparently was enjoying her stay in San Francisco despite being involved in the first automobile accident in the Presidio, when an out-of-control automobile struck her carriage. A warm and vivacious woman, Frances kept up many friendships with old classmates, public figures and other Army wives. She and the children attended the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition just a short walk from their quarters. As an advocate of woman's suffrage, Frances Pershing had already made plans to attend the 1916 Republican convention. On Friday, August 27, 1915, there was a tragic fire at the Pershing home. Frances had been entertaining guests the previous evening. Around 4:20 am hot coals spilled onto the highly waxed floor. Frances and the three young girls, aged 8, 7, and 3 perished in the blaze. Only the son, Warren (5) survived after being rescued by Johnson, Pershing's long-time black orderly. Visiting the site, Pershing could only comment, "They had no chance."

The Pershing house on the Presidio after the fire. Credit: National Park Service, Golden Gate NRA Archives

After the funeral, General Pershing returned to Fort Bliss leaving Warren in the care of his sister, May. He turned all of his attention to his work. The Mexican bandit Pancho Villa was leading raids along the border. Villa murdered nineteen Americans on a train in Mexico during January 1916, and in March he led hundreds of his horsemen into Columbus, New Mexico, on a raid that left soldiers and civilians dead. President Woodrow Wilson ordered the United States Army led by Pershing into Mexico to hunt for Villa.

General Pershing organized 10,000 men including his old Tenth Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers. Supplies were insufficient and the mission was almost impossible, as noted by Colonel Robert L. Bullard, "under the orders he received, he had as much chance to get Villa as to find a needle in a haystack." Pershing took his orders seriously and incorporated his experiences from his days on the Plains and with Moros in the search for Villa. Several unsuccessful attempts took Pershing and his men deep into Mexico. Local resistance grew towards the American troops, and Pershing worked to keep up morale and patience. Villa was never caught during the eleven month expedition, but Pershing's ability to keep the United States out of a full scale war with Mexico warranted attention from President Wilson, who had been campaigning for reelection on the theme "He kept us out of war." Talks with Mexico's President Venustiano Carranza resulted in an agreement that measures would be implemented to deter outlaws like Villa from entering the United States. By February 1917, all of the American troops had returned from Mexico. Although the ultimate goal for the trip was not attained, the raids had stopped, and the expedition had provided a test run for the approaching World War.

Brigadier General Pershing took command of the Southern Department covering the southwestern United States. When war was declared on Germany in April 1917, John "Black Jack" Pershing was selected to command the American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) His task was enormous, to form an efficient working army to join British and French forces in France against Germany. Pershing accepted the challenge: "There is no doubt in my mind then, or at any other time, of my ability to do my part, provided the Government would furnish men, equipment, and supplies." Pershing and his staff arrived in England on June 7, 1917. Great expectations by the allies were anticipated of the American forces. In reality the situation was dismal. The United States had few guns, no planes, the army was still organizing and the manpower was still being recruited and drafted. The French and the British, desperate after more than three years of war, expected the American troops to serve under their commands, but Pershing refused. He insisted on separate camps, and training by American officers and sergeants. Physical fitness and trench warfare training was emphasized. Pershing was determined to adequately prepare his men and refused to release them into battle until they were ready.

In June of 1918 the German army was encroaching upon crucial bridge crossings near Chateau-Thierry. American troops were sent and managed to effectively prevent the Germans from crossing the Marne. Days later, the Americans successfully blocked German forces at Belleau Wood in a bloody battle with 600,000 casualties. The Germans were forced to retreat. In mid-July, at Chateau-Thierry, another attack occurred. Despite the heavy assault, the U.S. troops stationed there held off the Germans. On September 12, 1918, the American army engaged in open warfare, eliminating the German line against the Saint-Miheil salient. This action proved the competency and quality of the American troops. With extraordinary organization, Pershing transferred 600,000 men to northern France in the Meuse-Argonne. A slow advance progressed through the Argonne, until November 11, 1918 when an armistice was declared.

Black Jack Pershing returned to the United States in 1919, where he was hailed as an American hero. He was promoted to a rank never attained before, General of the Armies. Pershing's last position was Chief of Staff. He ended his career working to remove the obstacles he had faced in Europe. Pershing led a reorganization of the Army and created the new General Staff. He updated military training techniques, emphasized physical training, and started professional schools for officers. In August 1923 while visiting the Presidio, General Pershing learned that President Warren Harding had died at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. It was Pershing's duty to accompany the body of the late President back to Washington D.C. The following year, after forty-two years of service, General of the Armies, John J. Pershing retired on September 12, 1924. In retirement the General continued to contribute to military life and was highly committed to his position on the American Battle Monuments Commission where he oversaw the construction of monuments honoring A.E.F. soldiers in France. In 1931, he published his Pulitzer Prize winning book, My Experiences in the World War. He continued to mentor and advise his old colleagues and subordinates such as George Marshall and George Patton. In World War Two his son Warren chose not to use his father's influence and enlisted in the army as a Private. By the end of the war Warren Pershing had achieved the rank of Major. Pershing never remarried and on July 15, 1948, he died in Washington D.C. Captain Liddell Hart well articulated the importance of General Pershing to the United States military: "There was perhaps no other man who would, or could have built the American Army on the scale he planned, and without that army the war could hardly have been saved and could not have been won."

Pershing Square today.

Today, the Presidio of San Francisco recognizes John J. Pershing in many ways throughout the park: Pershing Square memorializes the site of the home where Frances and the girls lost their lives. Building 42, the old Bachelor Officers Quarters was renamed Pershing Hall in his honor. The Presidio Fire Station (Bldg. 218) was built in the wake of the tragic fire. It was the first fire house to be built on an American military post and housed the military's first 24-hour fire department, a memorial not only to a general, but to a family who lost their lives in the service of their country.

Resources

Army Times. The Yanks Are Coming. (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1960).

"Buildings are Style U.S. Disgrace," San Francisco Chronicle 31 Aug. 1915: 1.

Hymel, Kevin. "Black Jack In Cuba." On Point, Winter 1998. http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/spanam/WS-Prshg.htm.

"Nine Have Lost Lives in Fire," San Francisco Examiner 28 Aug. 1915: 3.

O'Connor, Richard. Black Jack Pershing. (New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1961).

Smythe, Donald. "You Dear Old Jack Pershing." American History Illustrated, October 1972. Vol. VII, no. 6, 19.

Vandiver, Frank E. Illustrious Americans: John J. Pershing. (New Jersey: Silver Burdett Compant, 1967).