General John J. Pershing (1860-1948) was the commander of United States forces during World War I. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing was a towering figure in American military history. A graduate of West Point, he served with distinction on the American frontier and in the Spanish-American War. His greatest achievement came during World War I, when he was appointed Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) on the Western Front. He insisted on keeping the A.E.F. as a unified, independent fighting force under American command, a decision crucial to Allied victory. After the war, his leadership earned him the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, a title he shares only with George Washington, making him the highest-ranking officer in U.S. Army history.
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