1948: John J. Pershing Lies In State At The U.S. Capitol

General John J. Pershing lies in state at the U.S. Capitol in 1948.

Pershing was born one year before the onset of the American Civil War and died three years after the conclusion of World War II.

During his lifetime, Pershing saw Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant make their reputations—and he saw George S. Patton and Dwight David Eisenhower make theirs.

Pershing is the sole U.S. general from World War I whose name is known today to the general public.