General John J. Pershing

Joshua Nelson Brethren Christian High School Cypress, California USA Teacher: Ron Schooler AP U.S. History, 11th Grade

1860-1948

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See also: ø Another Pershing Biography.

General Information

In 1916 he became the commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) that led the Allies to turn the tide against the Central Powers. Pershing had to form and train an army that grew in a year and a half to nearly 3,000,000 men. He would not let his troops be mixed with other European nations. He led the Meuse-Argonne offensive of 1918. Congress created a new rank for him -- General of the Armies of the United States.

Quotes

"We never really let the Germans know who won the war. They are being told that their army was stabbed in the back, betrayed, that their army had not been defeated. The Germans never believed they were beaten. It will have to be done all over again...." Pershing in 1923 on the prospects of another war. "We came American. We shall remain American and go into battle with Old Glory over our heads. I will not parcel out American boys." Pershing on keeping the AEF together as a fighting force. "Lafayette, we are here!" attributed to Pershing, but he claims it was uttered by Charles E. Stanton.