December History Fact of the Month

Wm. R. Singleton Lodge No. 30

​General John Pershing was born in 1860 in Missouri. He graduated from West Point in 1886 and went on to serve in the Indian Wars, the Spanish American War, the Philippines, and in pursuit of Pancho Villa into Mexico. He led US military forces in WWI, and was chief of staff of the Army from 1921-24. He is one of less than 20 officers in US history to attain a 5-star rank, which he did in 1919 after his service in WWI. Brother Pershing is accompanied in this honor with his Brethren: Gen. George Washington, Gen. George C. Marshall, Adm. Ernest King, Gen. Douglas McArthur, Gen. Hap Arnold, and Gen. Omar Bradley. Brother Pershing was raised on December 22, 1888 in Lincoln Lodge No. 19, Lincoln, Nebraska. He received his 50 year award in 1939; was a York Rite Mason, exalted in Lincoln Chapter and knighted in Mt. Moriah Commandery in 1894; a Scottish Rite Mason, coroneted with the 33rd degree in January 1930; and a Shriner. Brother Pershing was made an honorary member of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Stansbury Lodge of Washington, DC, and William R. Singleton Lodge of Washington, DC. A moment of silence was held for Brother Pershing at Singleton Lodge the day that he passed to the celestial lodge, July 15, 1948.