Pershing's Lieutenants: American Military Leadership in World War I

The book "Pershing's Lieutenant: The History of the Key Leaders Working for and with the American Expeditionary Forces Commander-in-Chief General John J. Pershing" details the history of the key leaders who worked for and with General John J. Pershing during World War I, including George S. Patton, Douglas MacArthur, and Harry S. Truman. It highlights the impact of the war on the US Army and the development of a new generation of leaders who would shape the armed forces during the interwar period and into World War II.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 368 pages
\n Publication date: 26 November 2020
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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The United States of America experienced a significant transformation during World War I, as it was compelled to rapidly expand its army. On the day the country declared war on Germany, the US Army ranked as the 17th largest in the world, trailing behind Portugal. The Regular Army consisted of only 128,000 troops, supported by the National Guard with approximately 182,000 troops. However, by the war's end, the US Army had grown to a staggering 3,700,000 personnel, with slightly over half of that number stationed in Europe.

Until the United States took this unprecedented step, no nation in history had attempted to deploy a force of 2 million men, spanning a distance of 3,000 miles, under the command of American Expeditionary Forces Commander-in-Chief General John J. Pershing. This marked the nation's first truly modern war, and it gave rise to a new generation of leaders who would shape the future of the United States armed forces during the interwar period and into World War II.

This book delves into the history of the key figures who worked for and alongside John J. Pershing during this tumultuous period. Among them are George S. Patton, who served as a tank commander and later became the commander of the US Third Army during World War II; Douglas MacArthur, who commanded the 42nd Division and later achieved the rank of General of the Army; and Harry S. Truman, who commanded an artillery battery and later became the President of the United States.

The book has been edited by Major General David T. Zabecki, a retired US Army officer, and Colonel Douglas V. Mastriano, another retired US Army officer. It comprises chapters authored by subject experts from across the United States, including faculty members of the US Army War College. These chapters provide in-depth insights into the individual leaders and their contributions to the war effort.

World War I had a profound impact on the United States, shaping its military and political landscape for decades to come. The expansion of the US Army during this period was a testament to the nation's determination and resilience in the face of adversity. The leaders who emerged from this era played a crucial role in shaping the course of history, and their legacies continue to be felt today.

\n Weight: 672g\n
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 38 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781472838636\n \n