BLACK JACK SPEAKS AT A.E.F. UNIVERSITY AT BEAUNE
Beaune, France (JFK+50) On April 3, 1919, United States Army General John J. Pershing* arrived by train at 8:30 in the morning here in Beaune to inspect the personnel of the American Expeditionary Force University**.
The General was met by Colonel Ira Reeves***, commandant of A.E.F.U. After the inspection, Pershing gave a speech and then motored to Dijon for another inspection.
General Pershing took lunch at Is-sur-Tille and inspected the new regulation station where soldiers passed through before going on leave.
The General returned by motor car to his headquarters at Chaumont at 6 p.m.
*John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing (1860-1948) was born in Laciede, Missouri & graduated from West Point in 1886. He served in the New Mexico territory before becoming an instructor at the US Military Academy. JJP served in the Spanish-American War & pursued Pancho Villa in 1916. He commanded the American Expeditionary Force in WWI.
**American Expeditionary Forces University at Beaune was an American university located in France, equally distant from Paris & the Mediterranean.
***Ira Louis Reeves (1872-1939) was born in Jefferson City, MO & was educated at Purdue, the University of Vermont, Norwich University & Middlebury College (LL.D). Col. Reeves served as C.O. of the A.E.F. University at Beaune from Feb 9 - June 15, 1919.
SOURCE
"John J. Pershing Diary, Set 3, January 28, 1919 -April 3, 1919," World Digital Library, www.wdl.org/
General John J. Pershing
AEF General HQ
Oct 19 1918
Photo by 2nd Lt. L.J. Rode
