GEN. PERSHING, HOLDING DOWN 3 JOBS, CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 13, 1923, General John J. Pershing* celebrated his sixty-third birthday. The Evening Star reports the General is beginning his final year of active service serving in three roles: acting Secretary of War, general of the armies, and chief of staff.
General Pershing will go on the retired list one year from today. He told the Star that a test mobilization will take place at the time. The General also says the army's plan laid out in the National Defense Act of 1920** has been "worked out" and is, in his opinion, a "workable plan."
*John Joseph Pershing (1860-1948) was born in Laclede, Missouri & served in the US Army 1877-1924. JJP was commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in WWI 1917-1918 & is the only American to be promoted during his lifetime as General of the Armies, the highest possible rank in the US Army.
**National Defense Act of 1920 increased the maximum strength of the regular army from 175,000 to 280,000 and of the national guard to 435,800.
SOURCE
"Pershing, 63 Today, Celebrates While Holding Down Three Jobs," The Evening Star, September 13, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
