"SUPREME LEADER OF AMERICAN MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT"

GENERAL PERSHING TO BECOME ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF

 Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 13, 1921, Secretary of War John W. Weeks* announced the appointment of General John J. Pershing as Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

The General, who is to take office on July 1, 1921, will remain head of the General Headquarters or war staff.  The "combined office" will make the General "the supreme leader of the American military establishment."

The New York Tribune reports that this gives General Pershing "greater power and authority (over the Army) than have been conferred upon any one officer."

Secretary Weeks said that the General would be charged "with the organization and training of all elements of the army, ...the National Guard and the organized reserves."

*John Wingate Weeks (1860-1926) was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire.  JWW served in the US House of Representatives 1905-1913, US Senate 1913-1919, & was Sec of War 1921-1925.

SOURCE

"Pershing to Become Army Chief of Staff," The New York Tribune, May 14, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

General John J. Pershing

as Army Chief of Staff

United States Army Image

 

"THE NEXT WAR WILL BE THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE"

PERSHING SAYS U.S. SHOULD NOT BE CAUGHT UNPREPARED

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 2, 1921, John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army overseas, testified before the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives.

In response to questioning by Chairman Thomas S. Butler*, the General said...

"The next war will be the most destructive of human life and property.  The safe policy for the United States is to continue our (military) programs and not allow ourselves to be caught unprepared, as we were at the beginning of the (1st) world war."

The General also offered the opinion that airplanes would play a more important role in the next war.

*Thomas S. Butler (1855-1928) was born in Pennsylvania.  TSB was admitted to the bar in 1877 & served as a district judge before being elected to the US House of Representatives.  TSB was a congressman from 1897 to 1928 & was chairman of the Committee on Public Railroads & the Naval Affairs Committee.

SOURCE

"Pershing Says Next War Sure To Top Record," The Washington Herald, February 3, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

 

 Congressman Thomas S. Butler

(R-Pennsylvania)

Harris & Ewing Collection (1913)

Library of Congress Image

 

THE MEN MUST REALIZE WAR IS SERIOUS WORK!

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2393

PERSHING WANTS WELL TRAINED MEN WHO USE THEIR NOODLES

Paris, France  (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, August 7, 1917, Major General John J. Pershing told Associated Press of the necessity that his American army of conscripts be "in excellent condition, well-disciplined and capable of individual action."

The General added...

"Our men must keep their morals clean (and be) capable of meeting the trying conditions of modern warfare."

While Pershing said that he expected his boys to "learn to obey orders promptly, implicitly and willingly," he did not want their obedience to be "automatic." 

 The commanding general wanted "thinking men...capable and ready to assume command...should their officers be killed or incapacitated..."*

He said...

"The men must...realize war is...serious work, demanding the utmost energy and attention to insure success..."

Pershing compared his army to a disciplined, well-trained football team which is also "capable of brilliant individual action in a crisis."

*A prime example of the importance of Pershing's philosophy is in the case of Alvin C. York of Tennessee.  His commanding officer was killed leaving him to assume leadership responsibilities.  York's well-documented performance on the Western Front included accolades from General Pershing himself who pinned on him the Medal of Honor.

SOURCE

"Pershing Wants Men In Trenches Who Use Noodles," The Chicago Daily Tribune, August 8, 1917."

Alvin C. York Painting

by Frank Schoonover (1919)

Owned by Allan Jones