Details
WILSON, WOODROW, President. Engraved document signed (Woodrow Wilson") as President, countersigned by Secretary of War Newton Diehl Baker, Washington, D.C., 20 September 1916. 1 page, 490 x 391 mm. (19 1/4 x 15 3/8 in.), elaborately engraved and printed ON FINE PARCHMENT, bright blue paper Great Seal of the United States at lower left, bold heading in decorative letters: "The President of the United States," beneath which an American Eagle and "E pluribus unum" motto, large vignette of crossed flags, bayonets, cannon and other military paraphenalia at bottom, accomplished in manuscript, margins very slightly soiled, but otherwise in very good condition. Wilson appoints John J. Pershing to the rank of Major General.
WILSON'S APPOINTMENT OF PERSHING, SOON TO COMMAND THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE "OVER THERE"
A momentous appointment of the man who would not long afterwards be chosen to command the American Expeditionary Force in World War I. Pershing (1860-1948) served in the Sixth Cavalry in the last phases of the Indian Wars, commanded the 10th Cavalry in battles in Cuba, where he won a brevet promotion to major, then served in the Philippines and as U.S. military attaché in Japan during the Russo-Japanese War. At Theodore Roosevelt's suggestion, Pershing was appointed Brigadier General in 1906 in preference to more than 800 superior officers. In 1916, when Pancho Villa raided Columbus, New Mexico, President Wilson ordered retaliation. Pershing commanded the punitive expedition which pursued Villa across the border on March 16 and fought a difficult campaign which in the end failed to apprehend Villa. The present promotion was made while Pershing and his forces were engaged in Mexico. In April 1917, when the U.S. declared war against Germany, Pershing was called to Washington for an interview with President Wilson and Secretary of War Baker. Wilson remarked, "General, we are giving you some very difficult tasks these days!" to which Pershing replied: "Perhaps so, Mr. President, but that is what we are trained to expect." On 16 May 1917, Pershing was named head of the American Expeditionary Force and brilliantly commanded that force during the bloody battles which terminated in the Armistice of November 1918. He was promoted to general in October 1917 and in September 1919 was accorded the signal honor of being named general of the armies (a rank formerly held only by George Washington). "Methods he instituted were models for Marshall, MacArthur, and Eisenhower in World War II....His greatest achievement is the modern American Army...He ranks as one of America's greatest generals but especially as one of her greatest soldiers" (-DAB).
WILSON'S APPOINTMENT OF PERSHING, SOON TO COMMAND THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE "OVER THERE"
A momentous appointment of the man who would not long afterwards be chosen to command the American Expeditionary Force in World War I. Pershing (1860-1948) served in the Sixth Cavalry in the last phases of the Indian Wars, commanded the 10th Cavalry in battles in Cuba, where he won a brevet promotion to major, then served in the Philippines and as U.S. military attaché in Japan during the Russo-Japanese War. At Theodore Roosevelt's suggestion, Pershing was appointed Brigadier General in 1906 in preference to more than 800 superior officers. In 1916, when Pancho Villa raided Columbus, New Mexico, President Wilson ordered retaliation. Pershing commanded the punitive expedition which pursued Villa across the border on March 16 and fought a difficult campaign which in the end failed to apprehend Villa. The present promotion was made while Pershing and his forces were engaged in Mexico. In April 1917, when the U.S. declared war against Germany, Pershing was called to Washington for an interview with President Wilson and Secretary of War Baker. Wilson remarked, "General, we are giving you some very difficult tasks these days!" to which Pershing replied: "Perhaps so, Mr. President, but that is what we are trained to expect." On 16 May 1917, Pershing was named head of the American Expeditionary Force and brilliantly commanded that force during the bloody battles which terminated in the Armistice of November 1918. He was promoted to general in October 1917 and in September 1919 was accorded the signal honor of being named general of the armies (a rank formerly held only by George Washington). "Methods he instituted were models for Marshall, MacArthur, and Eisenhower in World War II....His greatest achievement is the modern American Army...He ranks as one of America's greatest generals but especially as one of her greatest soldiers" (-DAB).