Happy Birthday To A “General’s General”

Many consider General John Pershing to be the greatest general in the history of the U.S. military.

After serving in the Army all over the world (including chasing down Pancho Villa in Mexico) Pershing was given the task of commanding the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.  More than 1,000,000 American soldiers served under the "old man."  A whole generation of familiar military names learned their skills at Pershing's feet, names like MacArthur, Eisenhower, Patton and others.

In 1919 Congress authorized the president to create a brand new rank, General of the Armies.  Pershing was the first general so named.

You would think this towering individual would be buried under a grand and eloquent tombstone in some visible and high profile public place.  No.  The man known as "The General's General," Black Jack Pershing is buried under a simple doughboys government issue grave marker at Arlington Cemetery.

What a great American story.   General John. J. Pershing (September 13, 1860 to July 15, 1948).