Gen Pershing

[Tommy Thompson]

now this is guy understands how to solve a problem:

[cbk]

Ye gads! The old General would be in jail today, wouldn't he? But he did stop the problem for quite some time.
General Pershing was a very strict disciplinarian. My Grandfather served under him at one time. My Grandfather was a cook way back when the cooks were given money to buy food. Many skimped and kept some of the money for themselves. But Papa Lloyd had been poor as a youth and thought good food was important. So he spent all of the money given to him on the mess hall chow. The General liked that and often ate there to show his support. Of course the cooks had other duties besides cooking. One horrible, rainy night my Grandfather was standing guard when General Pershing rode up on his horse. The standard procedure was for the guard to say, Halt!, Dismount & come forth and be recognized. This my Grandfather did. Pershing said, Lloyd you know me. Again my Grandfather gave the proper command. After some back and forth yelling the General dismounted and trudged through the mud to be recognized. He asked my Grandfather why he made him do that. Papa replied that he did so because if he hadn't the General would have.."had his ass." Damn right Lloyd. Good work was the General's reply.
The old guy was tough, but fair. And according to my Grandfather, he supported his men against all comers. Something leaders of today might take a lesson from. I can't see General Pershing prosecuting a SEAL for hitting an enemy. Can you?