Punitive Expedition into Mexico, 1916

This study examines the political-military insights offered by the Punitive Expedition into Mexico, 10 March 1916 to 5 February 1917. This thesis uncovers these insights by examining how Major General Frederick Funston, commander of the United States Southern Department, and Brigadier General John J. Pershing, commander of the Punitive Expedition, in conjunction with the Department of War and the Department of State within the Wilson Administration, planned and conducted this nearly year-long campaign. This study examines how Funston and Pershing planned and conducted a military campaign in a country with which the United States was not at war, as well as a campaign characterized by numerous restraints placed upon its operations by the Wilson Administration. As such, this study highlights several important insights into the nature of an operation in a restrictive environment, to include the importance of establishing clearly defined and achievable objectives, establishing and maintaining legitimacy, maintaining perseverance, establishing unity of effort, operating with restraint, and continuously maintaining security of friendly forces.