John J. Pershing was a U.S. Army general who played a key role in World War I. Although the war began in 1914, the US did not enter until 1917, and the army was under Pershing’s command. He achieved greatness as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in Europe. Pershing’s contributions solidified the U.S. as a major world power and set the foundation for modern American military operations. He is important because:

  • He led U.S. troops to victory, strengthening America’s global influence.
  • He modernized the U.S. military with better training and tactics.
  • His leadership helped shape future military strategy, influencing World War II commanders.