Pershing Commemorative Stamps
John Pershing is a very special figure in American military history. Although his tactical ideas and his war philosophy have also caused great controversy, including having learned of the signing of the armistice agreement, he also ordered an attack, which led to more than 3,500 American casualties. His subordinate, MacArthur, for example, thought he was nothing more than a "soldier at his desk." The relationship between the two deteriorated at the end of World War I and could not be repaired until their deaths.
Pershing and his staff
His harsh, almost harsh, intolerant and non-negotiable personality made him not a good man to get along with in front of friendly forces, and not a popular man before his colleagues and subordinates. The nickname "Jack of Horror" accompanied him throughout his military career. He was described as "like a bowl of broken ice" in the face of anything.
Young Pershing
But his prestige in the military is unmatched. In addition to MacArthur, Marshall and Eisenhower served as his chief of staff, and Patton followed him for a long time. After World War II, the U.S. Congress moved to award Marshal Marshall the title, but he declined because he did not want to overshadow pershing in honor.
Pershing after World War I
Pershing led the American Expeditionary Force across the ocean to fight in Europe, winning World War I, making him a national hero of the United States. The U.S. Congress awarded Pershing an Army Grand Admiral in 1919 and made it clear that this rank would no longer be awarded to anyone other than Pershing. Only Washington, the founding father of the nation, had a higher rank than him: six-star general. In 1920, someone launched a campaign to ask Pershing to run for the presidency of the United States, which he also refused, which shows how influential he was.
Pershing with wife and children
Pershing's personal life, however, was far less brilliant than his military career. In 1905, he married Helen Warren and lived a quiet and happy life after the marriage, raising three daughters and a son. However, on August 27, 1915, Pershing, stationed at the Fortress of Bliss, received a telegram that made him extremely sad.
Pershing landed in France during World War I
Pershing's wife and three daughters, who live in San Francisco, were all killed in an accidental fire, and the three daughters were only 3, 7 and 8 years old. Francis, a 6-year-old son who was playing outside, survived the disaster. Francis also joined the U.S. Army as an adult and served as a staff officer to General Marshall during World War II.
Patton's sister almost became Mrs. Pershing
How Pershing spent that dark and difficult time is not documented, and outsiders have no way of knowing. After dealing with the funeral, Pershing returned to Brith Fortress with his sister and son without a moment's delay. His face was still calm and calm, and he still didn't talk much, but he drank a lot more, especially liked to drink with Barton.
Patton, a loyal follower of Pershing
Patton was Pershing's aide-de-camp at the time, and together they fought in Mexico and World War I. Barton had a sister two years younger than him named Nit. One day in 1917, Nit came to visit his brother at Bliss Fortress and naturally met his brother's boss, Pershing. Pershing, who was "as calm as an ice cube," fell in love with Nit like a raging flame.
Pershing after World War I
After less than two months of falling in love, Pershing formally proposed to Nit, who was 27 years younger, and Nit agreed to marry him. All the officers and men of Bliss Fortress at the time, including Nate's brother Patton, witnessed their sweet love and engagement. At this time, Pershing had just received the order to lead his army to fight in Europe, so the two of them met and waited for Pershing to return from Europe to get married.
Pershing House
After the war, Both Pershing and Patton returned triumphantly, but after more than a year in the Atlantic, they separated a pair of lovers who had sworn to stay together forever. Although Pershing regretted letting Nette go, although the two of them had been friends for a lifetime, and his friendly relationship with Patton lasted for life, after all, Pershing never remarried, and Nette never married.
Pershing's Tomb
On July 15, 1948, Pershing died of coronary artery disease at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C., home to him since 1944. After the state funeral, he did not sleep with his wife and daughters, but slept peacefully in Arlington National Cemetery. Around him were the soldiers and generals he had commanded in Europe.
Pershing statue at the House Memorial
Pershing's house is in Laclede County, Missouri, and he and his family lived in the house from the age of 6 until he left home for West Point. In 1952, when it was learned that the owners of the houses at that time were preparing to raz it to the ground, the Missouri state government paid for it and opened it to the public on the occasion of Pershing's 100th birthday in 1960.