General Black Jack Pershing

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  1. General Blackjack Pershing Biography
  2. General Black Jack Pershing Muslim Terrorists
  3. General Black Jack Pershing Quotes
  4. General Black Jack Pershing Ww1

Introduction

General Black Jack PershingJohn J. Pershing was one of America’s most accomplished generals. He is most famous for serving as commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I

Black Jack in Cuba: General John J. Pershing’s Experience in the Spanish-American War by Kevin Hymel To most Americans, San Juan Hill conjures up images of Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders dashing up the hill to victory, but other soldiers also played an important role in driving the Spanish off the heights overlooking Santiago, Cuba. Pershing's first name is 'John,' for which 'Jack' is a nickname, and he was a white man who commanded black troops. Hence 'Black Jack.' The second story is more confusing, though. General of the Armies John Joseph 'Black Jack' Pershing GCB (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948) was a senior United States Army officer.He served most famously as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on the Western Front in World War I, 1917–18. In their responses to Trump’s tweet, journalists happily relayed Pershing’s jaunty nickname, “Black Jack,” mostly without noting where it came from: When he was an instructor at West Point.

Also known as the First World War, World War I was a global war that was centered in Europe. The conflict began on July 28, 1914, and lasted until November 11, 1918. It was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, on June 28, 1914. Alliances between countries were tested and war soon erupted. The two opposing alliances were the Allies and the Central Powers. The Allies consisted of the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire. The Central Powers were Germany and Austria-Hungary. Other countries were later drawn into the conflict, including the United States, which supported the Allies and entered the war on April 6, 1917. More than sixteen million died during the war and twenty million others were wounded. The National World War I Museum is located in Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri.
. These troops from America bolstered the spirits of European allies and helped defeat the Central Powers in 1918. 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.

Early Years and Education

General Blackjack Pershing Biography

Laclede, Missouri General
Pershing's hometown of Laclede in Linn County, Missouri.
[SHS 029290] Map of Laclede, Missouri, Pershing's hometown.
[SHS 029288] Childhood home of Pershing.
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On September 13, 1860, John Joseph Pershing was born near Laclede, Linn County, Missouri. He was the first child born
The Pershing family.
Standing (left to right): John J., sisters May and Elizabeth, brothers Ward and James
Sitting (left to right): father John F., sister Grace, and mother Ann Thompson Pershing
[SHS 014816] 1870 U.S. Census showing John and his family.
[1870 U.S. Census]
to John Fletcher Pershing and Ann Thompson Pershing. John had eight younger siblings, but only five survived to adulthood: May, Elizabeth, Grace, Ward, and James. His father owned a general store and served as postmaster of Laclede.
John as a boy John as a young boy.
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In 1873 an economic depression

General Black Jack Pershing Muslim Terrorists

Over-investment in the countries' railroads and other unregulated investing after the Civil War contributed to a national economic depression. It was called a 'panic' because people feared that their banks would go out of business and that they needed to withdraw their money quickly, before it was lost. The depression lasted until 1879.
swept across the United States, affecting millions of Americans. John’s father had taken out numerous bank loans to purchase area farmland. When the economic crisis hit, the elder Pershing was unable to pay back the loans and watched helplessly as the banks foreclosed on all but one of his farms. The Pershings lost almost all of their wealth. John’s father was forced to take a job as a traveling salesman. Fourteen-year-old John was put in charge of the family while his father was on the road. He was expected to make the family farm profitable and attend school.

General Black Jack Pershing Quotes

Kirksville State Normal School The Normal Building at Kirksville State Normal School around the time Pershing attended.
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John’s family could not afford to send him to college, so he took a job as a teacher at Prairie Mound SchoolPershing’s teaching contract with Prairie Mound School in Chariton County, Missouri, 1881.
[John J. Pershing Teacher's Contract, 1881 (C2038), The State Historical Society of Missouri, Manuscript Collection-Columbia] in Chariton County, Missouri. Once he had saved enough money, John enrolled at Kirksville Normal School (now Truman State University). He graduated in 1880 with a teaching degree. John returned to Prairie Mound School after graduation. He soon decided, however, that he wanted to be a lawyer and returned to Kirksville to study law.

West Point

General Black Jack Pershing Ww1

U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Most people refer to the United States Military Academy as West Point. West Point is a site on the Hudson River north of New York City. The United States Military Academy has been located there since 1802.
Young people who want to attend the academy must be nominated by a member of Congress or by the army itself. The coursework is challenging. Unlike most colleges, each cadet must also participate in demanding physical training. At the end of a four-year program, successful cadets are awarded a bachelor of sciences degree. They are also commissioned as second lieutenants, the lowest officer's rank in the army.
[SHS 028819] Pershing as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy.
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After reading an advertisement announcing an entrance exam for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, John decided to take the test to earn a free education. His sister Elizabeth helped him study. Only one person in the congressional district would win an appointment. Pershing earned the top exam score by a narrow margin and entered West Point in July 1882.

While Pershing struggled academically his first year at West Point, he was determined to succeed. Although he graduated thirtieth out of a class of seventy-seven in 1886, he was elected class president four years in a row.