Pershing Elementary Students To Celebrate Namesake's Birthday

UNIVERSITY CITY, MO — On Thursday, University City elementary students will celebrate the 158th birthday of John J. Pershing, the World War I general for whom their school is named. The program, inspired by local historian and sponsor Mark Winer, will feature history presentations, ice cream and cakes featuring the likenesses of Pershing and his troops.

“I wanted Pershing students to learn about Pershing’s life and legacy and how important he was to the rise of African-American soldiers in WWI," Winer said in a statement. 'It's also a great excuse to have cake and ice cream!"

Pershing, who was born in Laclede, Missouri, laid the school's cornerstone in a 1919 ceremony. Though the school was rebuilt and rededicated in 2012, the original cornerstone remains.

During the First World War, Pershing earned the nickname "Black Jack" for his willingness to command African-American troops in combat. The name was viewed as derogatory at the time — it originally involved a racial epithet — but has since become part of Pershing's most enduring legacy.

Pershing allowed African-American troops to fight alongside the French Army in the trenches of Chateau-Thierry, Belleau Wood, and Soissons, which eventually paved the way for the desegregation of the armed forces.

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Thomas Hoff, a museum educator for St. Louis County Parks, will give students presentations throughout the afternoon Thursday. Students will learn about the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the creation of Irving Berlin's song, "God Bless America," and Pershing's (perhaps apocryphal) invention of jumping jacks, which is Missouri's official state exercise.

"Honoring that, our Pershing students will have a contest as they attempt to set some records in efforts led by physical education staff and Jim Adams, owner of Catalyst Strength and Functional Nutrition," the school said in a press release.

"Although our school has changed over these 100 years, the name Pershing, still carries a special meaning and we are excited to explore the General’s legacy with our students," said Herbert Buie, the school's principal.

Photo: Gen. John J. Pershing surveys the French battlefield in April, 1917 ( SeM / Universal Images Group/Shutterstock)