Listen Now - History That Doesn't Suck: America Enters WWI

General John J. Pershing's military career, marked by a broad spectrum of experiences, serves as a testament to his discipline and leadership before his command in World War I.

Pershing's early life and formative experiences in the Civil War, Indian Wars, and Spanish-American War

Pershing's early years were heavily influenced by the violent climate of the Civil War. On June 28th, 1864, a Confederate raid, led by Captain Clifton Holtzclaw, struck his hometown in Laclede, Missouri. Only four years old, John Pershing, known as "Johnny," and his family experienced the terror of the attack firsthand. Pro-Union, the Pershings were a target, and the young Pershing watched as his father’s store was looted. This traumatic event instilled in Pershing a profound understanding of human conflict.

Pershing's distinguished military career began after he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, motivated by an ad for a competitive examination. He honored Civil War military leaders and graduated in 1886, showing an early commitment to military discipline by joining the cavalry. It was in the Indian Wars that Pershing built a reputation as a dedicated and competent soldier, fighting against the Apache and the Sioux in the American West and serving as a professor of military science and tactics at the University of Nebraska.

In 1895, Pershing took charge of the "Buffalo Soldiers," the all-Black 10th Cavalry Regiment, and completed missions with respect and diplomacy. His sympathetic approach to the Buffalo Soldiers and to the indigenous populace put him at odds with prevailing sentiments in the army and earned him the nickname "Black Jack" among less understanding cadets at West Point.

Pershing’s mettle as a leader was further proven during the Spanish-American War, where he joined forces with Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders in the assault on Kettle Hill. Following the war, Pershing deployed to the Philippines, where he sought to understand and work with the Moro population. Studying languages and culture, he prioritized establishing relationships over conflict. His respectful approach won him praise and the Manila Times acknowledged his successful efforts in building friendships.

Pershing's rise through the ranks and reputation as a disciplined, no-nonsense leader

Pershing's military diligence didn't go unnoticed. His capabilities and connections would fuel his ascension through the ranks. He met Senator Warren's daughter, ...

The American military faced considerable obstacles when it unexpectedly needed to grow its small force into a massive army for global conflict.

The small size of the existing U.S. military and the need to quickly build a massive force

In early 1917, the U.S. military, ranking 17th in the world in size behind Serbia, consisted of only 107,641 men, with the National Guard and Marines adding 132,000 and 15,500 respectively. These forces were insufficient for a global conflict.

The logistical difficulties of training, equipping, and supplying such a large influx of new recruits

The U.S. faced a shortage of supplies, with gun manufacturers like Remington and Winchester needing to retool after years of supplying the British. This left soldiers training with broomsticks instead of rifles, which continued until many reached France, where supply issues persisted.

The creative solutions employed, such as using broomsticks in lieu of rifles and leveraging income tax and war bonds to fund the expansion

Due to the shortage of actual rifles, soldiers drilled with broomsticks. To fund the war effort and its massive expenses, Congress raised corporate and income taxes, particularly targeting multimillionaires. Treasury Secretary William McAdoo also led a successful Liberty Bond campaign, raising $21 billion, with volunteer speakers encouraging Americans to purchase these war bonds.

The massive scale of the drafting and conscription effort, including the diversity of the new recruits

The draft and conscription efforts brought together a diverse group of recruits from across the U.S.

The challenges of communicating with and integrating rec ...

In World War I, the debate over integrating American troops into European units was a point of contention, with General Black Jack Pershing at the center, grappling to maintain an independent American fighting force.

Pershing's determination to maintain the independence and identity of the American Expeditionary Force

General Black Jack Pershing was insistent on keeping American forces distinct from those of their European allies. He had secret orders dictating that the forces of the United States were to remain a separate and distinct component of the collective forces, emphasizing that their identity had to be preserved.

Despite immense pressure from British and French leadership, who were pressing for amalgamation of U.S. forces into their ranks, Pershing gave a firm no. He refused to have American soldiers serve as reserves or cannon fodder in their armies. Indeed, Pershing articulated that he was against any integration of individual American soldiers into British or French forces. Although he did allocate four black American regiments to the French, this decision did not change his stance on large-scale amalgamation.

During Pershing's public critique of a division's training, he underscored the pressures to create an effective force, but he was clear that he would not allow Allied demands to supersede his commitment to properly training and preparing troops for combat. This stance was fortified amidst criticisms of the slow progress in training at Gondrecourt-le-Château and the lack of supplies and equipment for American soldiers.

Heated negotiations and disagreements at the Supreme War Council over the allocation of American forces

At the Supreme War Council, the conversation turned dire as the Allied powers, represented by their prime ministers and military leaders, urged for the immediate reinforcement of their ranks with American soldiers. The British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, and French Prime Minister, George Clemenceau, both argued that without immediate American reinforcements, the war could very well be lost. They argued that the A ...

As American soldiers stepped onto the battlefields of World War I, they encountered immediate challenges and hardships that included their first combat casualties.

The initial deployment of American troops to the relatively quiet Sommervier sector for advanced training

Although the American soldiers had been training at Gondocourt with the French 47th Chasseille Division, they were positioned in the quieter Sommervier sector. This strategic placement aimed to provide them with real trench experience and advanced training, ensuring minimal risk while they got acclimated to the front lines.

The German surprise attack that resulted in the first American deaths in the war

However, their introduction to trench warfare was abruptly marked by tragedy. On November 3rd, 1917, the 1st Division's 16th Infantry, Company F, was bombarded by German artillery at 3 a.m., lasting an intense 45 minutes. Subsequently, the 7th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment advanced across no-man's land, engaging in close-quarters combat with the American forces. Corporal James Gresham notably fell during this encounter – killed by a German soldier with a perfect American accent.

The poignant funeral service organized by the French to honor the fallen American soldiers

The battle led to fewer than 20 American casualties, which included three fatalities. Corporal James Gresham, Private Merrill Hay, and Private Thomas Enright became the first Americans to die in the war. A funeral service, overseen by French General Henri Bordeaux with American captain George C. Marshall in attendance, provided full military honors including taps and a 21-gun salute, commemorating their ultimate sacrifice.

The growing pains and challenges faced by the American Expeditionary Force as it continued to expand

Despite their commitment and heroism, the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) was beset by logistical difficulties pertaining to supplies and exertion from Allied forces to amalgamate.

The shortages of supplies and equipment that plagued the AEF, even with Allied assistance

By January 19 ...