Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-07-15
| Truman Leads Nation
In Honoring General
las Great American
President Truman led the Nation


qualities, self-effacing devotion te
duty and lasting faith IN democratic
institutions.
Secretary of State Marshall, who
was one of Gen. Pershing's most
valued staff officers in World War ]
and served as his aide here from
1919 to 1924, was among many
Government officials and military
men who recalled his service to the
country in war and peace.
Secretary of Defense Forrestal,
Secretary of the Army Royal, Gen.
Bradley, Army Chief of Staff. and
Gen. Eisenhower supreme Allied
commander in Europe during World
War II. joined in the national and
international expressions of regret
at Gen. Pershing's death and praise
for him as a man and a leader of
men.
Text Of Announcement.
President Truman. an artillery
officer in France in the World War,
said:
at becomes my sad duty to an
nounce that John J. Pershing,
general of the armies of the United
States, a great American, has died
this morning at Walter Reed Hos
pital in Washington.
Embodied In Gen. Pershing's
character were all those soldierly
qualities that are essential to a
great captain, brilliant leadership,
steadfast courage, tireless energy,
answering loyalty and constant
devotion to duty. He had a genius
for organization as every one who
served under him will bear witness.
In World War I, he led the greatest
army this country had up to that
time, then called upon to assemble.
THE sorrow at his passing will
not be confined to his own country.
Both friend and foe alike have pub
licly paid tribute to his loyalty to
duty, his ability to lead and in
spire, his wisdom and courage under
extreme stress. In peace, no less
than in war. he retained the dig
nifty and modest bearing character
istic of the true soldier.
His Statesmanship Praised.
Gen. Pershing's service in France
called not only for the highest quail
ity of military talent, but also for
the exercise of craftsmanship Of
the highest order. His success in
retaining the essential American
character of our Army abroad is
known to history. He believed In
the fundamental institutions of
democracy. He saw earlier and
more clearly than many of his con-
temporaries the development of the
fast-moving events which culmin-
ated in World War II.
The Government awarded Gen.
Pershing its highest military rank.
To him his fellow countrymen &C
cord unlimited gratitude and af-
lection for selfless service in be-
half of our national ideals.
The Natioon will ever hold him
in grateful remembrance"
Gen. MarshalPs Statement.
Gen. Marshall issued the follow
ing statement:
The Nation mourns the death of
it's greatest commander. Gen.
Pershing represented to every
American officer and man perfec-
ton in soldierly qualities, dynamic
leadership and American leadership.
"A great soldier, devoid of politi-
aal and personal ambitions, he
served his country to a greater de-
gree than most of our citizens real
ize. His influence went far towards
shaping the destinies of our armies
in two great wars, and We salute
him for the last time with pride u
bis great. achievements and. witt
deep appreciation for hissysA conY
tribution to the Nation. ,
May the people of this country
honor his memory by careful re-
gard for the principles for which
he stood"
Former Secretary OF War Henry
L. Stimson, who also was Secretary
Of State, said in Cold Spring Har-
Dor, N. Y, that he had "a very high
regard for Gen. Pershing, his cour-
age and initiative, and the way he
stood up for sending into action
lin World War y an American
Army under American leadership"
Eisenhower Lauds Patriotism.
Gen. Eisenhower, now president
of Columbia University, said:
"A great soldier and patriot has
passed from the American scene.
Gen. Pershing led the American
Army to victory in World War I
and thereafter established the pat
tern in which our Army was nodded
for the tests of World War II. His
comrades and countrymen remem-
Der with gratitude his services to
our Nation and pay trioute to his
memory"
Secretary Forrestal said Gen.
Pershing "symbolized the best in
the military traditions of our Ma
ton and was an outstanding repre-
sentative of this democracy"
u