History of The National Society of Pershing Rifles

General John J. Pershing, founder

John J. Pershing, founder of "The National Society of Pershing Rifles", was born near Lacledo, Missouri, on September 13, 1860. Between the years of 1870 and 1873, Pershing went to school and worked on his father's farm. During this time, he showed the characteristics which have always been paramount in his life: self-possession, competence, level headedness, dependability , and the ability to see a thing through.

In the spring of 1882, he saw an announcement of a competitive examination for an appointment to West Point. He had no desire to be a soldier, but saw the chance to secure a splendid education. Acting on family advice, he took the examination, and secured the appointment.

General Pershing was not a brilliant scholar. In fact, he graduated 30th in a class of 77. The officers and classmates at the Point recognized that he had the rare quality of leadership. They elected him president of the class and each year, he held the highest rank attainable in the Cadet Battalion.

After his graduation and commission, he joined the 6th Cavalry and eventually in 1891, took up duties as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the University of Nebraska, where interest was low and the discipline next to nothing. (See The Society)

In June of 1897, he was assigned to West Point as an assistant instructor in tactics. He was not a popular officer, because the cadets believed his discipline to be too strict. It was there where he earned his nickname, "Black Jack."

He then was stationed in the Philippines and promoted to Captain. After his tour there, he returned home and met Helen Frances Warren, daughter of a senator and his future bride. He was then promoted from Captain to Brigadier General by President Roosevelt, which caused many people to believe that there was unnecessary pull from his father-in-law, the Congressman.

In 1914, being stationed at Fort Bliss, he felt that it would be appropriate to move his family, now consisting of his wife, a son and three daughters. Unfortunately, before things were settled, Pershing received a telegram informing him all but his son died in a fire.

Finding solace in his work, Pershing led the Expedition into Mexico to try and capture Pancho Villa, but the expedition failed, and by 1917, had withdrawn from Mexico. The failure came in part from the lack of success of the Quartermaster Corps.

On April 3, 1917, the US declared war on German, and along with a nucleus of a General Staff, Pershing went to Europe where the French insisted on additional manpower for their armies, instead of the stand alone American Army. He strongly denied the French their wishes, and also helped promote a Supreme Allied Commander instead of a Supreme War Council. Without Pershing's demands, America's presence at the end of the war's peace conference would have been nil.

In 1921, Pershing was appointed Chief of Staff to the United States Army, and in 1924, at the age of 64, he retired with the title, "General of the Armies" bestowed upon him in Congress.

On July 15, 1948, John Joseph Pershing passed away at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was buried atop Arlington National Cemetery, so he could "watch over [his] troops that had fallen."

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