Francis Warren AFB-- Part 3: Fort Russel and "Black Jack" Pershing

In 1906, Secretary of War  William Howard Taft recommended an expansion for Fort Russell to brigade-size and by 1910, there were a lot more buildings.  Artillery units were assigned to the fort as well.

From 1913-1916, during the Mexican Revolution, artillery units were stationed along the border to keep the struggle from  coming to U.S. territory. During World War I, the fort served as a mobilization point and training facility for field artillery and cavalry units.

When the war began, Fort Russell became one of the largest stateside Army posts.

Quarters No. 2 at the post were for the second in command and  at one time the family of John J. "Black Jack" Pershing lived there.  He later led U.S. Forces in World War I.    He had married the daughter of Francis E. Warren.  Within two years of his marriage to Helen Frances Warren in 1905, Pershing was raised four ranks from captain to brigadier general.  Something unheard of in those days.

It is suspected that being married to the daughter of a very powerful U.S. senator and a personal favorite of Theodore Roosevelt had something to do with it.

For the post's role in World War II, go to my Tattooed On Your Soul:  World War II blog.

--Cooter