Generals at the Baltic Club

Accession number:
1942.01

Maker:
N/A

Historical period:
1940

Miltary branch:

Wars and Conflicts:

Type:

Dimensions:
H x W: 11 in. / 14 in.

Acquisition date:
N/A

Credit line:
The Army and Navy Club Library Trust Fund

Location:
,

Provenance:
N/A

Label:

From left to right: Major General Walter August Bethel (Judge Advocate General from 1917-1920), Major General James G. Harbord, General John Pershing, and Major General Merritte W. Ireland (former Asst. U.S. Surgeon General responsible for the health of troops in France during WWI), in attendance at an annual Baltic Club dinner at The Army and Navy Club on June 1, 1940. The painting hanging in the background is the portrait of General Harbord that hangs today in the Club ballroom on the second floor.

The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) advance element of 198 Army Soldiers and Marines traveled with General Pershing on the White Star Line Steamer Ship Baltic from May 29 - June 13, 1917.  The handpicked 52 officers on the Baltic included longtime members of The Army and Navy Club who would become senior leaders in the AEF as it grew to over 2.5 million in strength. These officers all achieved flag rank and earned even greater responsibilities after WW1. In addition to Harbord and Ireland, the officers included George Patton, Fox Conner, Logan Feland, and Robert Dunlap.