General John J. Pershing
Accession number:
1985.03
Maker:
Felix de Weldon
(1907-2003)
Historical period:
ca. 1985
Miltary branch:
Army
Wars and Conflicts:
World War I
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 18 in. / 7 in. / 5 in.
Acquisition date:
1985
Credit line:
Gift of the artist
Location:
First Floor, Pershing Room
Provenance:
From 1985: The Army and Navy Club, gift of the artist
Label:
General Pershing was born on a Missouri farm and attended what became Truman State University before graduating from West Point in 1886. He served extensively with the 6th Cavalry and 10th Cavalry Regiments; the latter was one of the original “Buffalo Soldier” regiments. He mentored a generation of Army leaders, including Generals Marshall, Eisenhower, Bradley, and Patton. He remains the only U.S. officer promoted to General of the Armies in his own lifetime—equivalent to a six-star general. Felix de Weldon sculpted this statue of General Pershing specifically for the Pershing Room in The Army and Navy Club.