ommander, one brain, one heart, one sole power to direct, was found and
the Allies were no longer separate units, each free to come or go,
without adhesion or cohesion. There was now to be one plan and one
planner. The world already is aware of the result, for Foch has been
tried and tested. The great unifying power has been discovered. The man
for whom the world had been waiting had appeared and taken charge.
Whether times make men or men make the times is a riddle as old as the
one concerning the egg and the hen as to which was first produced.
Without question both are true.

But no military genius can win battles, much less win a war, unless he
is supported by strong men and true. And in the number of those who are
closest to Foch is the Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in
France. All are rejoiced that he is where he is, but they are equally
proud that he is what he is.

It is easy to paraphrase the words of the great Apostle to the Gentiles,
and to say of General John Joseph Pershing that he too "is a citizen of
no mean country." It is also easy to say that he is no mean citizen of
that country, for he is both the citizen and the general, the man as
well as the soldier. And there is the strongest possible desire on the
part of his countrymen, that, upheld by his armies and helped by
everyone in his native land, he may speedily add new luster to his name
and to that of his own land until the words of the greatest orator of
the new world may have an added significance and a deeper meaning--"I--I
also--am an American!"

CHAPTER XX

HIS MILITARY RECORD

THE complete Military Record of General Pershing as it has been kept by
the War Department of the United States is here presented. To the facts
obtained from this Department are added a few later items, which the
Acting Adjutant General kindly has provided.

JOHN J. PERSHING

BORN SEPTEMBER 13, 1860 IN AND APPOINTED FROM
MISSOURI.

Cadet Military Academy July 1, 1882
2nd Lt. 6th Cavalry July 1, 1886
1st Lt, 10th Cavalry Oct. 20, 1892
Captain, 1st Cavalry Feb. 2, 1901
Trs. to 15th Cavalry Aug. 20, 1901
Brigadier General Sept. 20, 1906
Accepted Sept. 20, 1906
Major General Sept. 25, 1916
General