General John J. Pershing (1860-1948) Inducted - Wednesday, September 13, 1995 Sculptor: William J. Williams Where is General John J. Pershing in the Hall of Famous Missourians? General John J. Pershing commanded the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in Europe during World War I. Born in Laclede, Mo. in 1860, he became a master of military tactics through his training at the United States Military Academy and his teaching at West Point. Organizing, training, and leading all American land forces in the AEF marked Pershing as one of history's great military leaders. Four years after World War I began, he established an army of two million soldiers who brought the conflict to an end in 200 days. He is the only American to be named General of the Armies in his lifetime by a special act of Congress; one rank above the five-star generals of World War II. In 1921, he was named Army Chief of Staff, and after his retirement, he served as chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission.