The broadcast premiere of “Black Jack Pershing: Love and War” coincides with this year’s 99th anniversary of World War I’s armistice.
The documentary, produced and directed by Professor Barney McCoy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications, tells the story of General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I and the only active duty six-star general in U.S. history.
The one-hour program will debut on NET on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 9 p.m. CT. Pershing commanded 2 million U.S. troops who helped win the Great War and established America as a global superpower. Pershing also had strong Nebraska ties. He was head of University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Military Cadet program in the 1890s, earned a law degree at University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and owned a home in Lincoln where his two sisters lived.
“Black Jack Pershing: Love and War” reminds us of the historic lengths Pershing went to serve his country even as he battled deep personal tragedy in his life,” said McCoy, who conducted five years of archival research examining Pershing’s personal papers and interviewed historians and Pershing family members for the documentary. “The project also reveals the extraordinary sacrifices Americans made at home and abroad during the first World War.”
Maria Marron, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications said, “Barney has put enormous energy and passion into this project, and his deep interest in his subject is clear. He has blended archival footage of the War with still photos, interviews, and an excellent narrative to tell the intriguing story of General Pershing and has produced a great documentary.”
There will be a sneak preview and discussion of “Black Jack Pershing: Love and War” on Wednesday Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.
Free tickets for the screening are available at the Ross beginning Nov. 1., or they can be reserved at https://theross.org/movies/#tickets. The College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is hosting the screening.
“Black Jack Pershing: Love and War” will broadcast statewide on NET Saturday, Nov. 11, at 9 p.m. CT; on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 4 p.m. CT; and Friday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m. CT.
“Black Jack Pershing: Love and War” is co-produced by Painted Rock Productions and NET Nebraska’s PBS Station. It received funding from Lowell Vestal, Sandra S. Pershing, Humanities Nebraska, University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Research Council, and the Gilbert M. & Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation. Production support for the documentary was provided by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
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