Pershing's Expedition (Punitive Expedition)

Pershing's Expedition, also known as the Punitive Expedition, occurred in 1916 following a raid by Mexican revolutionary Francisco "Pancho" Villa against the U.S. town of Columbus, New Mexico. In response, President Woodrow Wilson authorized General John J. Pershing to lead an American military force into Mexico to capture Villa. Though the expedition aimed to address cross-border violence and assert U.S. influence, it faced logistical challenges and tensions with the Mexican government. Ultimately, Pershing's forces did not capture Villa, and the expedition ended in early 1917, marking a significant moment in U.S.-Mexico relations and military history.