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Pershing, John Joseph "Black Jack"

Date of birth:
September 13th, 1860 (Laclede/Missouri, United States)
Date of death:
July 15th, 1948 (Washington D.C., United States)
Buried on:
Arlington National Cemetery
Plot: 34. Row: S. Grave: 19-LH.
Nationality:
American

Biography

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Rank:
Captain
Awarded on:
1905
Period:
Philippine–American War (1899-1913)
Rank:
Captain
Awarded on:
1905
Philippine Campaign Medal
Rank:
Brigadier General
Awarded on:
1907
Indian Campaign Medal
Rank:
Brigadier General
Awarded on:
1915
Army of Cuban Occupation Medal
Rank:
Major General
Awarded on:
1917
Mexican Service Medal
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
August 6th, 1918

Personally bestowed by Raymond Poincaré in Chaumont.
Grand Croix de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
August 12th, 1918

Personally bestowed by King George V at 33rd Division Headquarters
Grand Cross of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (GCB, military division)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
March 18th, 1918
Grootlint in de Leopoldsorde / Grand cordon de l'Ordre de Léopold
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
March 18th, 1918
Croix de Guerre 1914–1918
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
September 25th, 1918
Order of Daniel I - Grand Cross
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
September 25th, 1918
Milos Obilic Gold Bravery Medal
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
October 3rd, 1918
Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro - Cavaliere di gran croce
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Unit:
American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), U.S. Army
Awarded on:
October 31st, 1918
"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I, as a token of the gratitude of the American people to the Commander of our armies in the field for his distinguished services, and in appreciation of the success which our armies have achieved under his leadership."

War Department, General Orders No. 111
Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
November 9th, 1918
Kyuokujitsu sho, 1st Class
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
January 17th, 1919
Ceskoslovenský válecný kríž 1914-1918
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Awarded on:
January 20th, 1919
Basilikon Tagma toy Soteros - Grand Cross
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General of the Army
Awarded on:
September 29th, 1919
"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled, That the thanks of the American people and the Congress of the United States are due, and are hereby tendered, to General John J. Pershing for his highly distinguished services as commander in chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe and to the officers and men under his command for their unwavering devotion and heroic valor throughout the War."

Joint Resolution of Congress Sept. 18, 1919, approved Sept. 29, 1919.
Letter of Praise by the United States Congress
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General of the Army
Awarded on:
1919

With 15 Battle Clasps
World War I Victory Medal
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General of the Army
Awarded on:
1922
American Legion's Distinguished Service Medal
Period:
Polish-Soviet War (1919-1921)
Rank:
General of the Army
Awarded on:
July 17th, 1925
Order Virtuti Militari Commander
Rank:
General of the Army
Awarded on:
1941
"For extraordinary heroism in action against hostile fanatical Moros at Mount Bagsak, Jolo, Philippine Islands, on 15 June 1913. Brigadier General Pershing personally assumed command of the assaulting line at the most critical period when only about 15 yards from the last Moro position. His encouragement and splendid example of personal heroism resulted in a general advance and the prompt capture of the hostile stronghold."

Decorations U.S. Army, Supplement V, 1941
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General of the Army
Awarded on:
1941
Pershing werd de enige soldaat in de geschiedenis van het Amerikaanse leger, en slechts een van de vier in de hele Amerikaanse strijdkrachten, die in aanmerking kwam voor het dragen van een medaille met zijn eigen beeltenis erop.
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General of the Army
Awarded on:
August 7th, 1946
"In recognition of his peerless leadership, heroic achievement, and great military victories, as Commander in Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe in World War I, and for his gallant and unselfish devotion to the service of this country, in his contribution to the preparation for, and the prosecution of World War II."

A bill authorizing the President of the United States to award a special medal to General of the Armies of the United States, John J. Pershing.

The peerless leadership and heroic achievements of General Pershing in World War I are too well known to require explanation. In the interim between World War I and World War II, General Pershing unselfishly exerted himself to prepare out National for World War II and during that war, in spite of his advanced age and ill health, gave freely of his advice and experience to our military leader.

Following World War I, General Pershing was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and was tendered the thanks of the American people and of the Congress in a joint resolution of the Congress, approved September 29, 1919 (41 Stat. 291). Your committee feels this was little reward and recommends enactment of the legislation under consideration.

The War Department and the Bureau of the Budget advises there is no objection to the enactment of the legislation in question.

Passage of the legislation under consideration does not amend or repeal any provision of existing law.

Awarded by Act of Congress, Aug. 7, 1946
Congressional Gold Medal
Rank:
Major
"For gallantry in action in the Santiago de Cuba Campaign, 22 June to 17 July 1898."

Replaced by the Silver Star Medal in 1932.
Silver Citation Star
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General
Médaille Militaire
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
General

With bronze palm
Croix de Guerre (1914-1918)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)

With swords
Rad Bileho lva I Class
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)

With swords
Order of Karadorde's Star - Grand Cross

Sources