Pershings' Doughboys WW1 Living History Group

Pershings' Birthplace
Laclede, Linn County Missouri

The following text is reproduced from theMissouri Department of Natural Resources information card describing this excellent and fogotten piece of real American history. The Group would like to encourage people to visit this location and spend time with its dedicated and highly knowledgable administrator Mr. Denzil R. Hearney.

He can be contacted at PO BOX 141, Laclede, MO 64651-0141.

Visit the parks web site by clicking here

Gen. John J. Perhsing Boyhood Home State historic Site

One of America's highest ranked military officers, Gen. John J. "Blackjack" Pershing, spent most of his childhood years in the small town of Laclede. These is little in Pershing's bouhood history to suggest taht one day he would become a national war hero.

Pershing was born Sept. 13, 1860, and moved into the Gothic nine-room house in Laclede with his family at age six. He taught at Prarie Mound School, and in 1886, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, thus beginning his military career.

Between 1886 and him military retirement in 1924, Pershing fought his way up through the military ranks. In 1917, Pershing was sent to France an Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War 1 and two years later was named General of the Armies of the United States by a special act of Congress.

Today, visitors can tour Gen. Pershing's boyhood home. A ststue of "Black Jack" stands next to the home surrounded by granite tablets naming war veterans. Inside Prarie Mound School, an exhibit gallery allows visitors to walk through the many doorways Gen. Pershing passed through during his childhood, life, military career and numerous accomplishments.

Photographs

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	Statue of Gen. Pershing that at one time stood in Jefferson City, State capital of Missouri.
	Another view of the statue showing the granite block upon which are carved the names of veterans, both living and dead. Verterans and their families can contact the site administrator for details on how the have a name added.
	Still standing, the original home of the Pershing family in Laclede. Gen. Pershing's father John Fletcher Pershing ran a store from this building and became the sutler during the American Civil War to the 18th regiment Missouri Volunteers. The regiment was mustered into federal service in the town and served with distiction through out the campaigns in the West, most notably at the Battle of Shiloh.
	The home the Pershing family moved into when john was about six years old. John Fletcher Pershing was a Mason and it is interesting to note that the whole house is on the 'plane and level'.
	A close up of Gen. Pershing's West Point graduation ring on disply in the Prarie Mound Shool exhibit. Notice that the device is inverted so that the ring may be used to form a wax seal.

Detail on the scabbard of a commemorative sword presented to Gen. pershing by the corporation of London in 1919.

Close up of the enamel and gold work at the top of the scabbard.

Another close up of the enamel and gold work on the scabbard.

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