Sorry for the lack of posts. Life happened, but I’m back now.
Memorial to General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, Commander of the US Expeditionary Force in WW II.
People often seem to assume that his nickname, Black Jack, came from the card game of the same name. In fact it was given to him as a junior officer when he was assigned to an all black regiment of cavalry. He served there as a commander for many years and had a tremendous bond of loyalty with his soldiers. Because of this association with black troops he was given his moniker by his fellow white officers.
When Teddy Rosevelt and his “Rough Riders” charged up San Juan Hill, a black company from the 10th US Cavalry was right next to them. It was led by Black Jack Pershing.
It appears he only has one leg from this angle.. poor chap!
LOL…I thought the same thing but then realized it was his hat. I thought that his leg had been amputated and that was the pants leg folded up.
So he has two legs?
That is a very interesting look at the general. We have Pershing Sq in front of NYC’s Grand Central Station. You have some great photos here.
I don’t want to be annoying but I think you accidentally typed in an extra “I.” He was head of US forces in Mexico and then in Europe during WWI. I believe he was retired and died during WWII.