Existing comment:
John J. Pershing:
When General John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing was chosen as the Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in 1917, he had already led troops in the Indian Wars, the Spanish American War, the Philippines and the Mexican Expedition. He earned the nickname "Black Jack" because of his service with the African American 10th US Cavalry. He was noted for his bravery in combat. President Theodore Roosevelt was so impressed with Pershing's coolness under fire that he convinced Congress to promote Pershing to Brigadier General in 1905.
The allies in Europe expected the AEF to serve as replacements, filling in the holes in the depleted French and British armies. Pershing did not let that happen. He kept American troops, referred to as "doughboys," together under American commanders. Pershing believed the best way the US could help the allies was with an independent American Army, including an independent Tank Corps. Pershing wanted to show Europe that the United States was a military power in its own right. At first, the doughboys' inexperience with trench warfare resulted in heavy casualties. That soon changed. The Meuse Argonne Offensive in the fall of 1918 showed the strength of the American Army and the usefulness of tanks. |