General John J. Pershing (1860–1948,) fully John Joseph Pershing, was an American army officer. He commanded the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in Europe during World War I.
Born in Laclede, Missouri, Pershing began his military career three decades earlier, fighting defiant Indians in the American West. He was known as Black Jack because he commanded African-American troops. Pershing later served in campaigns that signaled the emergence of the U.S. as a world power.
Pershing’s active duty included Cuba 1889, the Philippines 1899–1903, and Mexico 1916–17 before becoming commander in chief of the American Expeditionary Force 1917–19 in World War I. His Meuse-Argonne offensive in 1918 led to the final collapse of the German Army. He served as U.S. Army chief of staff 1921–24.
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A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops, while on the contrary an incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops.
—John J. Pershing
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