Largest Promotion Jump in History

Gripmaker · September 13, 2006, 09:52:15 AM

Was listening to the radio this morning and heard and amazing story about the largest promotion jump in US Army history (or any other branch/service/country) so I am going to test the capabilities of our trivia folks.

What US Army officer received the largest promotional jump in the history of any regular (not militia or volounteers) military organization in recorded history, what rank was held before and after the promotion and why was it given? Also, if you know, how many senior officers were by-passed in this promotion? To give a hint, the man was born in Linn County, MO.

Major 2 · September 13, 2006, 10:10:18 AM

Dwight David Eisenhower ... Col. to General of the Army (5 star) I think it was over 236 senior officers... my guess anyway ?

deucedaddyj · September 13, 2006, 10:12:54 AM

Nope, Dwight was born in my home town of Denison, Texas.

In fact the only three famous things about my town, is it's the birthplace of Dwight Eisenhower, the refrigerated boxcar was invented here, and the John Wayne movie, "Red River" premired here.

Major 2 · September 13, 2006, 10:14:19 AM

woops , that's right it was Texas ... dang and knew that too

drat !

Books OToole · September 13, 2006, 10:45:03 AM

So 1st Lt. G. A. Custer doesn't count because he was promoted to Brigadier Gen. of Vols.?

Books

St. George · September 13, 2006, 11:14:44 AM

In 1906 - John J. Pershing was one of five junior officers promoted to Brigadier General, skipping over 862 senior officers.

The promotion prompted speculation about Pershing's connection to his father-in-law, the Chairman of the Senate's Military Affairs Committee.

Pershing would go on to command the American Expeditionary Force in WWI - ensuring that Americans fough as Americans and not as an adjunct to the worn-thin Allies.

Black Jack Pershing returned to the United States in 1919, where he was hailed as an American hero. He was promoted to a rank never attained before, General of the Armies.

In 1931, he published his Pulitzer Prize winning book, 'My Experiences in the World War.'

He continued to mentor and advise his old colleagues and subordinates such as George Marshall and George Patton.

Pershing died on July 15, 1948, in Washington D.C. and refused a 'monument' - preferring to be buried among 'his boys' under the same Government-Issued headstone.

That wish was granted.

Captain Liddell Hart well articulated the importance of General Pershing to the United States military:

"There was perhaps no other man who would, or could have built the American Army on the scale he planned, and without that army the war could hardly have been saved and could not have been won."

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Gripmaker · September 13, 2006, 11:46:41 AM

St. George, I commend you upon your most rapid and correct research. You are 100% correct.
Now, can you also tell us why and by whom he was promoted to General? The points are mounting up.

Books OToole · September 13, 2006, 11:56:04 AM

Let me see......

The Pesident in 1906 was that former Rough Rider fella.

Books

St. George · September 13, 2006, 03:38:49 PM

That fact remains a bit of a mystery - but many senior officers felt that it came about because of two things - his marriage to Helen Frances Warren, whose father was the Chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee - coupled with his friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt.

Both men fought side-by-side in Cuba - and commanded the Cavalry that would take both Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill, you see - effectively catapulting the former Colonel of Volunteers to the Presidency - and his friend to the stars...

Both of these coincidences seemed to help his advancement through the ranks.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Trailrider · September 13, 2006, 06:01:42 PM

Quote from: St. George on September 13, 2006, 03:38:49 PM
That fact remains a bit of a mystery - but many senior officers felt that it came about because of two things - his marriage to Helen Frances Warren, whose father was the Chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee - coupled with his friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt.

Both men fought side-by-side in Cuba - and commanded the Cavalry that would take both Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill, you see - effectively catapulting the former Colonel of Volunteers to the Presidency - and his friend to the stars...

Both of these coincidences seemed to help his advancement through the ranks.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

And what other honor that is with us today is connected indirectly to Gen. Pershing's wife?

Gripmaker · September 13, 2006, 06:25:33 PM

Trailrider, Would you be referring to the establishment of "Memorial" hospitals which came from a Wyoming Law and the death of Gen. Pershing's wife?

St. George · September 13, 2006, 07:01:21 PM

The Presidio Fire Station (Bldg. 218) was built in the wake of the tragic fire that killed Pershing's wife and three daughters.

It was the first fire house to be built on an American military post and housed the military's first 24-hour fire department, a memorial not only to a general, but to a family who lost their lives in the service of their country.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!