In the past two weeks I have finished my History of Us 1880-1917 book and read my first extra reading book. The extra reading book was called America's First World War. It's a very interesting book about a influential man in American military, his name is John J. Pershing. The book tells about how Pershing worked his way up through the ranks of the army. Pershing was born before the Civil War and died after the start of World War Two. When he was a young man he wanted to be a lawyer, but he was offered free college education at the United States Military Academy and he changed his course drastically. He originally planned to go to get an education, then when his army duty was finished he would go to law school. That, never happened. As he went through college and then the rest of his time in the Army, Pershing made friends with important people and was noticed for his excellence as a military leader. Not the least of these friends was Theodore Roosevelt, they fought together at the Battle of San Juan Hill. Pershing grew in importance and eventually lead the Americans "Over There" to aid in the World War. Pershing's help was vital to the outcome of the war.
Overall Pershing's story is really a very fascinating one! He was born when ramrod guns ruled the world, he fought in wars where they machine gun mowed soldiers down, fought along side tanks, saw the effects of gas warfare, and lived long enough to know the threat of atomic bombs. It is said that no matter what he faced, Pershing was always professional with a straight back and a serious expression. The only time he acted otherwise was when he was around young children. He lost his wife and three daughters in a fire in San Francisco, only his son survived. It would seem that to fight for his country was all he was passionate about after that. Pershing passed away July, 15th of 1948. He was 87 when he died. He is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, along side the men who served under him.
Along with John J. Pershing I learned more about Theodore Roosevelt and about his childhood, college years and ultimately his presidency. The famously know Teddy Bear was named after an incident of Roosevelt hunting. It is said that while he was hunting bears he found a small cub that he thought was too cute to kill so he spared it's life. A toy maker sent him a stuffed bear and called it a Teddy Bear, soon everyone was buying them and they're still in high demand today. Theodore Roosevelt also said that he didn't think there was ever a presidential family that had more fun being president than the Roosevelt family.
Overall Pershing's story is really a very fascinating one! He was born when ramrod guns ruled the world, he fought in wars where they machine gun mowed soldiers down, fought along side tanks, saw the effects of gas warfare, and lived long enough to know the threat of atomic bombs. It is said that no matter what he faced, Pershing was always professional with a straight back and a serious expression. The only time he acted otherwise was when he was around young children. He lost his wife and three daughters in a fire in San Francisco, only his son survived. It would seem that to fight for his country was all he was passionate about after that. Pershing passed away July, 15th of 1948. He was 87 when he died. He is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, along side the men who served under him.
Along with John J. Pershing I learned more about Theodore Roosevelt and about his childhood, college years and ultimately his presidency. The famously know Teddy Bear was named after an incident of Roosevelt hunting. It is said that while he was hunting bears he found a small cub that he thought was too cute to kill so he spared it's life. A toy maker sent him a stuffed bear and called it a Teddy Bear, soon everyone was buying them and they're still in high demand today. Theodore Roosevelt also said that he didn't think there was ever a presidential family that had more fun being president than the Roosevelt family.
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