General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing

General John Pershing was one of the greatest military commanders and leaders of the last century. His dedication to his men, his job, his loyalty to country and his sense of honor created one of the best leaders our country has ever seen.
John J. Pershing was born on 13 Sept. 1860, to the son of a railroad section boss in Laclede, Linn County Missouri. He was born to a family of Alsatian origins, originally spelling their name "Pfirsching". At 17, Pershing begins teaching at a Negro school in Laclede, to help the family finances which were still reeling from the depression of 1873.
In 1879 Pershing moves to Prairie Mound school district 10 miles away to teach in a more prestigious school. In 1881, Pershing finishes first out of sixteen applicants in a competitive examination for an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. …