When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Pershing was given the command of the American Expeditionary Force.

John J Pershing: World War 1’s “Black Jack”. One of his earliest memories was of his proudly Unionist, anti-slavery father barricading the house and holding off pro-slavery raiders (when Pershing was four). At the end of his teenage years, he became a school teacher,.

This was not a good time for a war for the Army. There were limited supplies, no aircraft for an army still struggling with recruitment and organization.

There was a diplomatic mountain to scale as well: the French and the British expected the Americans to serve under their commands. Pershing refused, and successfully demanded separate camps for his men as well as training by American officers and sergeants.

In June 1918, the Germans launched a major offensive to capture crucial bridge crossings at the Marne River in France. Throughout the month, the American Expeditionary Force waged defensive and counteroffensive warfare against the Germans at the bloody Battle of Belleau Wood.

In mid-July, the American Expeditionary Force was again tested at the Battle of Chateau-Thierry. Victories in both these engagements led to the end of the last major German offensive of the war.

Black Jack Pershing World War 1 Battles

In September 1918, Pershing successfully led American and French forces in an offensive against the German line in the Saint-Mihiel salient. This victory proved the competency and quality of the American troops and was followed by the final offensive of the war, Meuse-Argonne.

Black Jack Pershing World War 1 Casualties

World war 1 facts

The slow, bloody advance of Allied troop progressed until November 11, 1918, when an armistice was finally declared.

General Pershing War

  1. Feb 11, 2008  1 decade ago John Joseph 'Black Jack' Pershing In 1897, Pershing became an instructor at West Point, where he joined the tactical staff. While at West Point, cadets upset over Pershing's harsh.
  2. General of the Armies John Joseph 'Black Jack' Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948) was a senior United States Army officer.His most famous post was when he served as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on the Western Front in World War I, 1917–18.