(General John J. Pershing Memorial), (sculpture).

(General John J. Pershing Memorial), (sculpture).

Mose, Carl C., 1903-1973, sculptor.

Roman Bronze Works, founder.

(General John J. Pershing Memorial), (sculpture).

John J. Pershing Memorial, (sculpture).

Pershing Memorial, (sculpture).

General John Joseph Pershing Statue, (sculpture).

Commissioned Jan. 12, 1955. 1955. Installed 1957. Relocated July 10, 1968. Rededicated Oct. 20, 1968. Wall of Honor installed 1983.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite; Foundation: concrete; Wall of Honor: granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 10 ft.; Base: approx. H. 7 ft. (10,700 lbs.).

(Front of base, incised lettering:) JOHN J. PERSHING/SEPTEMBER 13, 1860-JULY 15, 1948/GENERAL OF THE ARMIES/OF THE UNITED STATES/1914-1924/(Metal plaque, raised lettering:) GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING/BOYHOOD HOME/HAS BEEN DESIGNATED/NATIONAL/HISTORIC LANDMARK/THIS SITE POSSESSES NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE/COMMEMORATING THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/1977/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE/UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Rear of base, incised lettering:) ERECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI/1957 (One side of base, incised lettering:) BORN AT LACLEDE MISSOURI/GENERAL PERSHING BY HIS/SOLDIERLY QUALITIES EARNED/THE HIGHEST RANK EVER ACCORDED/IN THE/UNITED STATES ARMY (Other side of base, incised lettering:) IN 1917 GENERAL PERSHING/ORGANIZED IN EUROPE THE/2,000,000 MEN OF THE AMERICAN/EXPEDITIONARY FORCE AND LED/THEM TO ALLIED VICTORY IN/NOVEMBER 1918

Portrait of General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing depicted standing erect, in a slightly informal pose. He is wearing his World War I uniform, with his proper left hand holding gloves at his side. He wears a brimmed cap, short jacket with belt, and tall boots. Pershing stands on a two-tiered base, surrounded by a semicircle of six "Wall of Honor" tablets, inscribed with names of war veterans.

Portrait male -- Pershing, John J. -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- General

History -- United States -- World War I

History -- United States -- World War II

History -- United States -- Korean War

History -- United States -- Vietnam War

Outdoor Sculpture -- Missouri -- Laclede

State of Missouri, Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, General John J. Pershing Boyhood State Historic Site, P. O. Box 141, Corner of Worlow & State Streets, Laclede, Missouri 64651

Formerly located Missouri State Capitol, Southwest corner of Jefferson Street & Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 1957-July 1968.

Memorial commemorates General John Joseph Pershing (1860-1948), nicknamed "Black Jack," famed Missouri-born General of World War I. It was authorized by the Missouri Legislature in July 1953, which established the John J. Pershing Memorial Commission and appropriated $25,000 for the memorial. The artist modeled the figure largely from photographs supplied by a former aide to the General; although the sponsors insisted on a short jacket and Sam Browne belt. Although article in Daily News, July 11, 1968, lists base media as marble; correspondence from Missouri State Park Board indicates base is made of granite.

The sculpture was originally installed on the east grounds of the State Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri, but was relocated in July of 1968, by order of House Bill No. 776, to Pershing's boyhood home in Laclede, now known as the General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site. The site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. In 1983, a wall of honor was erected around the memorial, consisting of six tablets commemorating the names of local soldiers from World War I, World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

IAS files contain: Senate Bill No. 391, 67th Missouri General Assembly, authorizing memorial; transcript of legislative history entitled "Pershing Statue;" Minutes of the Pershing Memorial Commission Meeting, Jan. 12, 1955; House Bill No. 776, 74th General Assembly, authorizing relocation of the memorial; correspondence dated April 17, 1968 from the Missouri Park Board to the Division of Planning and Construction, State Capitol Building and correspondence dated Aug. 7, 1968, from the Director of Parks to the Assistant Attorney General, discussing relocation of the memorial.

IAS file also newsclippings, including articles from The Daily News-Bulletin and The Marceline News, July 15, 1968; The Daily News, July 11, 1968; the Oct. 1968 rededication program; and a brochure "General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home, State Historic Site," from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. IAS files also contain March 1992 conservation treatment proposal from Washington University Technology Associates (St. Louis).

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Missouri survey, 1994.

Daily News-Bulletin and The Marceline News, July 15, 1968.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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