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General George S. Patton Biography
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Biography: Life of General George S. Patton, Jr.
Born 1885, Died 1945
George S. Patton, Jr., the foremost tank commander of World War II, was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California. From the time he was a child, he wanted to be a soldier. Patton attended the Virginia Military Academy for one year before transferring to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from West Point in 1909 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 15th Cavalry Regiment.
An able athlete, in 1912 Patton represented the United States in the Olympics’ Military Pentathlon in Stockholm, Sweden. He placed fifth in the event.
George S. Patton first saw battle in 1915 while serving along the Mexican border. As an aide to General John J. Pershing, Patton accompanied Pershing on his expedition into Mexico against Pancho Villa in 1916.
In 1917 Patton transferred from the Cavalry and took command of the newly formed United States Tank Corps. Along with British tankers, Patton and his troops won a major battle at Cambrai, France and led the tank brigade during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
To meet the growing war in Europe, in 1940 at the urging of George S. Patton the Tank Corps was expanded. Patton was promoted to brigadier general and placed in command of the 2nd Armored Division. It was at this time that Patton began delivering his famous speeches, which earned him the nickname “Old Blood and Guts”.
In 1942 George S. Patton was given command of the 1st Armored Corps. Patton drove himself and his tankers hard as they trained in the southwestern United States in preparation for the Allied invasion of North Africa. With Patton leading the Western Task Force in North Africa, the French soon surrendered.
After his victory in North Africa, Patton was put in charge of the 2nd Corps. With his signature pearl-handled revolvers on his hips and with hard-handed tactics, Patton set about restoring morale and discipline to his troops. In April 1943 George S. Patton was given command of the United States 7th Army with orders for the invasion of Sicily in July. Along with the British Eighth Army under the command of Patton’s rival General Bernard L. Montgomery, the Allied forces freed Sicily.
George S. Patton found himself in trouble following an incident where he slapped a soldier whom he considered a coward. While some thought that Patton should be relieved of duty, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George C. Marshall refused to dismiss him. Patton made a public apology for what he had done.
Patton won his greatest fame when he was given command of the 3rd Army in France. Following the Allied Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), with relentless attacks Patton and his troops swept from France across Europe. They moved through six countries in less than ten months.
Following the end of the war in Europe on May 8, 1945, George S. Patton found himself in trouble again for arguing for the use of ex-Nazis in administrative positions and for the re-armament of Germany to fight the Russians. His remarks resulted in Patton being relieved of command of the 3rd Army. He was placed in command of the 15th Army.
General George S. Patton, who is remembered as one of the greatest military commanders, died on December 21, 1945 from injuries received in an automobile accident. He is buried in Luxembourg.
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