On April 12, 1916, Major Frank Tompkins led 120 American cavalrymen into Parral, Mexico, hunting Pancho Villa's rebels. The Carrancista commander ordered them to leave immediately. As the Americans withdrew, 550 Carrancista soldiers attacked. Tompkins organized a fighting retreat, using rear guards to inflict heavy casualties—approximately 70 Mexican soldiers killed against 2 American deaths. Buffalo Soldiers from the 10th Cavalry arrived as reinforcements, forcing the Mexicans to withdraw. The

On this day in 1917, Major General John J. Pershing was appointed to command the American Expeditionary Forces. | National WWI Museum and Memorial