InArkansas.com

The Mexican Punitive Expedition of 1916 was an attempt by American forces to capture General Francisco “Pancho” Villa following his attack on a small border town and military camp at Columbus, N. M., on March 16, 1916. The attack highlighted a long history of animosity between the United States and Mexico dating back to the Mexican War of 1846-47 and the Occupation of Veracruz in 1914. Villa proved elusive to the American forces and President Woodrow Wilson issued the first mobilization of National Guard forces in U.S. history as General John J. Pershing pursued Villa into Mexico with an army of 11,000 men. Finally, on January 12, 1917, President Wilson ordered U.S. troops out of Mexico. Although Villa was never captured, the training received by American soldiers provided a valuable introduction to modern military techniques and for our nation’s rapidly approaching involvement in World War I. For more information call (501) 376-4602.