Association of the United States Army Sixth Region Awards

The General of the Armies John J. Pershing Distinguished Service Award honors the exceptional service of this most distinguished general officer who served as an Army brigade commander in the Sixth Region.

Born and raised in Laclede, Missouri, General Pershing graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York in 1886, where his leadership qualities were first evident by being the First Captain and elected President of his class. Initial assignments were on the Great Plains for the close of the Indian Wars, a tour as the Professor of Military Science at the University of Nebraska where he developed winning “Pershing Rifle” drill teams, and assignment as a tactical officer at West Point. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for combat valor in Cuba during the Spanish – American War.

In 1914, General Pershing was assigned to command the 8th Brigade with Headquarters at the Presidio of San Francisco, California. Because of trouble on the Mexican Border, he and his Brigade were ordered to Fort Bliss, Texas, where General Pershing lead a Punitive Expedition four hundred miles into Mexico. He was promoted to major general. The 11,000 man Punitive Expedition broke up the bandit band and withdrew from Mexico in February 1917, just as the United States was preparing to enter World War I. Now a major general, the highest rank in the Army and with proven combat experience, General Pershing was selected to command the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) and became the only person to hold the United States rank of General of the Armies that gave him equal status with European field marshals.

General of the Armies John J. Pershing served as Chief of Staff, United States Army, from 1921 to 1924 and retired on 13 September 1924. This finest United States Army general officer of his generation died in Walter Reed Army Hospital at 87 years of age, on 15 July 1948. His casket was displayed in the Rotunda of the Nation’s Capital Building followed by a funeral procession generally given for President to burial in Arlington National Cemetery.