“And I know that I speak for our president, when I say that, as to those who have died, the good God has given eternal rest, so may He give to us eternal peace.”

At a previous date, and while hostilities were still in course, Marshal Foch had conferred upon General Pershing the grand cordon of the Legion of Honor.  The names of these two great commanders, reflecting supreme honor upon their respective countries, have become imperishable in the records of civilization.  Their careers present unusual analogy.  They were bred to the art of war, and stand among the foremost in the roll of great soldiers who have fought for and established Peace, in many lands and many ages.

PERSHING’S SPLENDID RECORD

John Joseph Pershing was born September 30, 1860, in Linn county, Missouri, to John F. and Ann E. (Thompson) Pershing.  He was given the degree of Bachelor of Arts by the Kirksville (Missouri) normal school in 1880; graduated at West Point in 1886; was made Bachelor of Laws by the University of Nebraska in 1893; married Francis H. Warren, daughter of Senator Warren of Wyoming, at Washington, January 28, 1905. (His wife and two daughters perished in the fire at the Presidio, San Francisco, August 15,1915.) He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 6th cavalry July 1, 1886; became a captain in the 10th cavalry October 20, 1892.  Passed through the other grades up to that of Brigadier General in 1913, after the battle of Bagsag, P.I., in June of that year.  Had seen service in several Indian campaigns, in Cuba and the Phillipines, and was United States military attache with the army of General Kuroko in the war between Japan and Russia.  Later was officer commanding at the Presidio, going thence to the Mexican border in 1913.  Was in command of the troops that went into Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa in 1916.  When the United States entered the European war he was placed in command.  Here was displayed in full not only his genius as a soldier, but as an organizer of the very highest skill.  His home is in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

HONORS TO MARSHAL FOCH

At Senlis in France on Tuesday, November 12th, the day after the armistice was signed, General Pershing conferred upon Marshal Foch the American Distinguished Service Medal.  The presentation was made in the name of President Wilson, at the villa where Marshal Foch had his headquarters, and was an impressive ceremony.

A guard of honor was drawn up and trumpeters blew a fanfare as Marshal Foch, with General Pershing on his right, took position a few paces in front of the guard.  General Pershing said: 

“The Congress of the United States has created this medal to be conferred upon those who have rendered distinguished service to our country.  President Wilson has directed me to present to you the first of these medals in the name of the United States Government and the American army, as an expression of their admiration and their confidence.  It is a token of the gratitude of the American people for your great achievements.  I am very happy to have been given the honor of presenting this medal to you.”