Perth Amboy evening news., 1924-09-13
Coolidge Pays Tribute
To General PerShing
Expresses the Nations Great
Indebtedness for Service
During the World War

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13.-John
]. Pershing ends his forty-two years
OF active service in the army at noon
today with a last signal honor paid
him in the issuance of an executive
announcement by President Coo
lidge expressing the nations indebt-
edness for the service which won
him leadership of the American
forces in the World War.
Only in the rare instances of his
tory in which retiring officer has
reached the highest rank has there
been precedent for the honor con-
ferred upon General Pershing in the
executive order in which the Presi-
dent today extended to him anew
the thanks of the nation for his
eminent services" The President
added that he felt certain that l
voice the sentiment of the entire
citizenry of the Republic in wishing
him long life, happiness and pros
perity In the retirement he has 90
richly earned"
Citing General Pershing's arrival
today at the automatic retirement
age Of sixty-four years, the execu-
tive order, after reminding /, the
country of its obligation to one
whose accomplishments contributed
so largely to the defense of the
worlds liberties" reviewed his long
career of military service.
The text of the order, which will
be read to the army today as a gen.
eral order follows:
General John j. Pershing, general
OF the armies. having this day reach
ed the. age of sixty-four years, Is
retired from active service in con,
formity with requirement of an act
or congress approved June 80, 1882
| In announcing the termination oi
this distinguished soldiers active
| military career, it is deemed appro-
pirate to remind the country of his
eminent services and of the nations
obligation to one whose accomplish
ments contributed so largely to the
defense of the worlds liberties.
Entering the army as a commits
stoned officer. after graduation at
the United States Military Academy
in 1886, he endured the hardships of
the Indian campaigns then necessary
for the pacification of the western
frontier. In the war with Spain
he participated in the Santiago cam
paign in Cuba. In the Philippines
Islands. after their acquisition by
the United States. it fell to his lot
to assist in the suppression of the
native insurrection. and his remark
able success in bringing under con-
troll some of the most turbulent
tribes is a matter of history.
"Becoming a general officer in
1906 he wasintrusted with many i'm
portant commands. and when the un-
settled conditions on the border of
Mexico in 1916, made 1t necessary to
send military expedition into that
country, he was selected for its COM
mander. In exercising this command
as well as in the others that had fall
en- to him. he demonstrated his ca
pacity for the highest military func-
tions and his selection as the COM
mander of the American Expedition
ary forces in the World War was q
natural consequence.
His conduct of that high conf
mand fully justified the selection as
well as his elevation to the highest
rank in our military service which
was conferred upon him permanent
ly. under authority of a special act
or congress, in recognition of his full
fillment of his country's expecta-
lions. The American TROOPS, under
MS command. by their presence, high
hlgh qualities and skillful manage
ment, assisted materially in the de-
Feat of the Central Powers of Eu-
rope which resulted in the freedom
or civilization from autocratic rule.
He Is one of the very few officers
who have held the rank of general
u the permanent military establish
ment, and the one who has exercised
supreme command over much the
largest body of troops ever called
into action by the United States gov
ernment. His services to the world
IN the greatest conflict which mill.
tary forces have ever been engaged
nave been recognized through the
award of highest decorations by the
Continued on page 81