After the war, Pershing served as Army Chief of Staff from 1921 to 1924. Pershing’s willingness to integrate into Allied operations helped bring about the armistice with Germany. In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson selected Pershing to command the American Expeditionary Forces during the Great War. Pershing quickly rose to the rank of general. The nickname, meant to be callous, stuck with Pershing for the rest of his life. The cadets, who disliked him because he was rigid and strict, gave him the nickname “Black Jack” because he served with the African-American Tenth Cavalry. In 1897, Pershing returned to West Point as an instructor. He served in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. Pershing was the president and first captain of the West Point class of 1886.

General of the Armies rank is equivalent to a six-star General status, though no insignia has ever been created. The only other person to hold this rank is Lieutenant General George Washington who received it nearly 200 years after his service in 1976. He is the only person to receive the rank while living. He was appointed General of the Armies, which indicates command over all branches of US armed services, on September 3, 1919. “Black Jack” Pershing is the highest ranked military officer buried here at Arlington National Cemetery, and the second highest ranked military officer in United States history.