5. John J. Pershing
As the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I, General John J. Pershing led over two million American soldiers to victory on the Western Front. His insistence on maintaining the AEF as an independent force under American command ensured that U.S. forces played a decisive role in key battles, including the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Pershing’s leadership not only contributed to the Allied victory but also modernized the U.S. military, leaving a lasting impact on its structure and strategy. (britannica.com)
