Evening star., 1942-09-13
Pershing Is Confident
NU. 5. Victory as He
Marks 82d Birthday
World War Chief Receives
Greetings From Army
Men All Over World

Watching the progress of the war
today, his 82d birthday. Gen. John
j. Pershing told his old comrades
in arms that this country faces the
grimmest challenge in it's history and
that he was happy in the knowledge
that the building of American VIC
tory is entrusted to strong hands,
clear minds and resolute hearts"
The message from the commander
OF the American Expeditionary
Force who led 1000 900 men to vic
tory in the World War was in re-
sponse to greetings from Secretary
OF War Stimson and Army men the
world over.
"On behalf of the War Depart
nent, and on my own personal be-
half, / send you this greeting on
your birthday" Secretary Stimson
wrote. Your name and your career
have always meant much to those
of us who have followed in your
path. Today, now that the Nation
is again engaged in war, they mean
ever more"
Other felicita tons included:
Gen. George c. Marshall. chief
OF staff: The example of your
greatness shines like light to guide
US through troubled days ahead.
While serving still as our symbol
Of military success in the past, you
have become our inspiration for vic
tory In the future"
Macarthur Gables Greetings.
From his Southwest Pacific head
quarters, Gen. Douglas Macarthur
esbled devoted greetings"
1t. Gen. Lesley j. McNair, COM
nanding general of the Army
Ground Forces, in behalf of officers
and enlisted men under him, con-
veyed "our respect, reverence and
devotion to Americas first soldier"
Gen. Henry H. Arnold, COM
nlanding general of the Army Air
Forces, looked back on "the inspired
leadership which brought our forces
victory in the last World War" and
told Gen. Pershing that Through
out the years, yonr name has lived
In the hearts Of all Americans as
one who contributed so much to
retain for them their cherished way
of life"
1t. Gen. Brehon B. Somervel. |
commanding general, services OF
supply, said that the organization
today Is profiting by the organiza-
ton and experiences of the supply |
services which Gen. Pershing de- !
veloped in France. Your work then |
in solving the numerous complex |
supply problems Is today contribut-
ing greatly to the defeat Of our
enemies" he said.
Pershing at Walker Reed.
To them, Gen. Pershing re-
sponded:
The greetings I have received
from the men who are readying
our present-day Army for combat
are stirring to an American soldier.
They are gratifying not only be-
cause OF their messages OF per-
sonal friendship, but because of
their undercwrent of sober de-
termination at q time when our
country is faced with the grimest
challenge in the long history OF It's
fight to achieve freedom and keep it.
My birthday is made a happy
one by the knowledge that the build
ing of American victory is intrusted |
to strong hands, clear minds and
resolute hearts"
In retirement now for l8 years,
Gen. Pershing lives quietly at
Walter Reed Hospital. In fragile
health, but keenly alert to war
developments, he probably win con-
fine his birthday observance to
receiving few visitors.
In recent months, he has made
. practice of motoring about the
Capital. He receives q few visitors,
among them Gen. Marshall, his |
one-time aide, and his son. Warren
Pershing, who recently won q lieu |
tenants commission in the Army
Engineer Corps.