Military Leaders Contributions to the American Military Tradition, American Culture, American Way of War, and the Exhibiting of Christian Values

MILITARY LEADERS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE AMERICAN MILITARY TRADITION, AMERICAN CULTURE, AMERICAN WAY OF WAR, AND THE EXHIBITING OF CHRISTIAN VALUES

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HIUS 380– Spring B02

March 11, 2016

        The United States of America has exemplary Divisions of Armed Forces where many outstanding members have stood courageous and resilient in their service to this country and the protection of others. General John J. Pershing, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and General Matthew B. Ridgway are three of the military leaders which this paper will depict and associate while expounding upon the way each contributed to the American Military Tradition. Continuing in how these individuals were or were not representative of an American culture or an American Way of War as interpreted in this course of study. Also, an opinion will be offered regarding such persons as to whether or not each was an appropriate Christian role model. No matter the similitudes or dissimilarities of the individuals each will prove to be distinguished and accomplished in their innovative and outstanding leadership and service to this country.

        Military Tradition in the United States of America is a frequent reference to relationship and affiliation through the ancestral line of a serviceman and an individual’s advancements and accomplishments as soldiers. American Military Tradition will endeavor itself to change as new technologies and ideologies transpire.^[1] The reflection of change or enhancement will reveal through the commands of the three leaders General Pershing, General Eisenhower, and General Ridgway.

        John Joseph Pershing John J. Pershing (1860 - 1948) was born September 13, 1860, in the town of Laclede, Linn County, Missouri. John “Black Jack” Pershing known throughout his life as one of dogged determination, ambition, perseverance and right values. Pershing “learned to bear the yoke in his youth” ^[2] and accepted the position of protector at a young age to stand for others^[3] who were being bullied.^[4]     

        Pershing’s formative years were filled with the desire and determination to acquire an excellent education. He attends “a local "select school" for intelligent youth” and afterward furthered his education at a secondary school.^[5] Following Pershing graduation, he began teaching African American children while continuing his education “at the State Normal School” while on summer break.^[6] . While attending the State Normal School, he sustained his prior “steady, methodical methods, doing well, but not being looked upon as an exceptionally bright student.”^[7] He still exhibited the same tenacious, dependable, assiduous, fruitful student he had continuously been,^[8]   

        At the age of twenty-one, in the year 1882, Pershing desiring to continue his education submitted an application to West Point for the very reason that it furnished an elite college level education although Pershing was only marginally interested in the military field.^[9] While attending West Point Pershing proved himself a natural-born leader and became president four years running as well as satisfying the position of the first captain of the 1886 class of West Point. After graduating, he returned to the military academy as a tactical officer in 1897. This is where and when he received his nickname “Black Jack” by the cadets who begrudged his iron-willed discipline.^[10] From this point Pershing’s education, tenacity, charisma, integrity and faith-in-action vaulted him into an illustrious military career.^[11] 

        Pershing served in the Cavalry in the West after graduating from the West Point Academy as well as later obtaining a law degree.^[12] Pershing followed in service in a number of Indian wars during the Spanish-American War in 1898.^[13] He functioned with great distinction in the movement around Santiago, Cuba as he led and commanded a black Calvary regiment at San Juan Hill.^[14] This frontal attack, converging columns, and the support of Gatlin gun firepower aided in the taking.^[15] After the United States had taken jurisdiction of the Philippines, Pershing was stationed there for three and a half years. He commanded American forces against quite a few tribes, jointly called “Moros” of the island of Mindanao. The fighting was difficult and flared up on and off for a number of years however during this time Pershing learned the “Moros’” customs and language^[16] which assisted him in gaining confidence and respect of “the enemy.”^[17] During the Philippine insurgency, Pershing received a promotion to brigadier general 1906-1913, which was surrounded by controversy because he “jumped over” in excess of eight hundred higher-ranking officers.^[18] He was assigned as commander of a castigatory raid against the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa in 1916. Greater things were yet to come.

In the Great War, World War I, Pershing was assigned the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) that the armed forces sent to Europe. General Pershing’s various challenges as the United States Army increased from one hundred thirty thousand men to two million men in eighteen months. His decisions entailed such things as how large the AEF should be, how to systematize supplies, where the AEF would and should fight in Europe, and when his soldiers were prepared for combat. General Pershing in his command of the AEF, he intended to retain its integrity although our Allies wanted the troops to amalgamate. The troops from the United States boosted the spirits of European allies, and the forces helped to defeat the Central Powers in 1918.^[19] In the year 1919, General Pershing was promoted by Congress to the rank of “General of the Armies of the United States”. This rank had only been held by only one other person, General of the Armies of the United States George Washington. This was a well-deserved honor for General Pershing, who had restructured the Army by the updating of military training techniques, by emphasizing physical fitness and starting professional schools for officers.

In all of General Pershing’s command and ways, he fought in the very characteristic qualities that we call the American ways of war: rapid movement, convergent columns, the preponderance of firepower, innovativeness, impatience, and use of indigenous people.^[20] However most of all he never thought more of himself than others. He led by his Christian values of prayer, love and respect for God, Country, and man.^[21]

Next, there is Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 – 1969) who was born October 14, 1890, in Denison, Texas but raised in Abilene, Kansas. Dwight Eisenhower was known throughout that the whole of his life was influenced by his constancy, strength, and happiness in his family background and life.^[22] Eisenhower was known as a skilled leader in the challenging skill of leadership.^[23]

Eisenhower secured an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His years at the West Point Academy intensely strengthened and built upon the lessons of his youth. He had the valuable lessons of obedience, accountability and duty reiterated. West Point’s mission was to produce men of education, training and inspiration to the Corps of Cadets so when students graduated there was evidence of high character. Even before Eisenhower entered West Point, he was steadfastly devoted to honor and duty; after he graduated, service to this country was utmost as well.^[24]

Following Eisenhower’s graduation, he experienced several years of professional disappointment and frustration. His frustration was that the end of World War I was one week earlier right before he was to leave for his assignment in Europe. This ending stalled his career temporarily however in the 1920s assignments started coming to Eisenhower, which allowed him to prove his capabilities.^[25] Eisenhower’s duties included serving as a military aide to General John J. Pershing and then to serving as a military aide to General Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s opportunities and recommendations were set to continue.

Prior to the United States entry in World War II, Eisenhower received his first star that included a promotion in rank to brigadier general. Following the United States of America’s entry into World War II, Eisenhower was sent to Washington, D.C. as a planning officer. He impressed the Army's chief of staff, General George C. Marshall, so much that he swiftly got key command assignments. General Marshall assigned General Eisenhower to handle the emergency crisis in the Pacific. Eisenhower stated, “We have got to travel Europe to fight, and we’ve got to quit wasting resources all over the world.”^[26] He was Supreme Commander of Operation Overlord, which was the Allied assault on Nazi-occupied Europe in 1944.^[27]