Pershing's Promise Fulfilled
General John Joseph “Black Jack” Pershing was given command of the newly-formed American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) in 1917. He was charged with preparing over two million unseasoned soldiers for the most brutal and unforgiving of combat conditions. This was no ordinary war. Fortunately, ole’ Black Jack was no ordinary man.
While his tactics on the field were not without controversy, there was nothing so unorthodox as Pershing’s focus on preparation and logistics. Boots, or “marching shoes” as they were known, would become something of an obsession. Upon reviewing the “Trench Shoe” proposed by GHQ, Pershing would personally oversee the development of a new specification: This boot was issued as the M1918, a.k.a. “The Pershing Boot,” “Little Tanks,” and most famously, “The Trench Boot.” Over the next two years, Pershing would remain intimately involved in the improvement of this specification, ordering no fewer than nine specified types, each more capable than the last. After the war, Pershing was promoted to General of the Armies of the United States, the highest rank possible for any member of the United States armed forces, which was created especially for him. He would never spec another boot.
In honor of General Pershing's uncompromising pursuit of the perfect service boot, we have re-commissioned the Army's WWI M1918 Boot according to our own 'Type-10' Specification—and the Navy's WWII N-1 Boot according to our own 'N-2' Specification. Each of these boots remains true to spirit of the original specification while featuring the best materials and construction available today.
