Peyton C. March: Greatest Unsung American General of World War I

George C. Marshall talked with his biographer, Forrest C. Pogue, in the late 1950s about the two principal American generals of a war that was already fading from national memory. Marshall had served as a division, corps, field army, and GHQ staff officer in the AEF and was Pershing’s aide for five years after the war. He was as close to Pershing as anyone and greatly admired him. General Pershing as a leader always dominated any gathering where he was, Marshall said. He was a tremendous driver, if necessary; a kindly, likeable man on off-duty status, but very stern on a duty basis.

Marshall never was closely associated with March, but he had studied the operations of the War Department during World War I and concluded that March was a master administrator, an executive with a great weakness of antagonizing everybody. Marshall considered both at fault in the strained relationship, saying, It was essential that they get together and they didn’t. Baker won his highest praise for saving the situation. Marshall said Baker rode a very difficult horse there between General Pershing and General March and did it extraordinarily well.

The virtues of both men far outstripped their flaws, as their accomplishments bear witness. Their efforts gave the United States and the Allies victory in this first great modern war. They also set standards in particular for those in high command during World War II. The army and the nation should not forget them.

This article was written by Edward M. Coffman and originally published in the Summer 2006 edition of MHQ. For more great articles, subscribe to MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History today!

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2 Comments to “Peyton C. March: Greatest Unsung American General of World War I”
To Whom It May Concern ~

I’m conducting some in-depth “official” research, and require some “official” assistance . . .

The statement has been made that Gen Blackjack Pershing received some preliminary “training” at a semi-private, preparatory school run by Caleb Huse in Highland Falls, before entering the academy. According to the statement, “many” such similar, outstanding men attending said school during its twenty years of operation, before successfully entering the academy and making a name for themselves and their country.

My question to you (or the historian) is: Who were these so-called “contemporaries” of Gen Pershing? Is it possible to acquire a listing of personnel who attended Mr Huse’s school before entering the academy? Or would The Point even maintain a record of such? Is there a questioneer that entering candidates / cadets have to address where they received prior, “qualifying” training and education?

Your attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.

By Dave Stevens on Jul 25, 2008 at 8:12 am
Dave, this reply is from the author:
Pershing commented on his days at the Huse School and gave the names of several of his classmates in a letter he wrote in 1911 which was published in a memoir of one of those classmates (at both the Huse School and West Point) Avery D. Andrews, JOHN J. PERSHING: MY FRIEND AND CLASSMATE (1939), p. 75. Frank Vandiver expands on this by adding the first names of those classmates in his BLACK JACK:THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN J. PERSHING Vol 1, p. 23 (1977).

As to the questions about new cadet questionnaires and other information about the Huse School, he should write the offical historian at the Military Academy

Office of Policy, Planning, and Analysis
ATTN: MAOR-H
U. S. Military Academy
West Point, NY 10996-5000

By Nick Wood on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:31 am

Peyton C. March: Greatest Unsung American General of World War I

2 Comments to “Peyton C. March: Greatest Unsung American General of World War I”

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