#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran George S. Patton

December 11, 2022: George S. Patton

George S. Patton was born in November 1885 in San Gabriel, California. He grew up an athlete, becoming an accomplished horseman and a well-known polo player during his youth.

Patton attended the United States Military Academy at West Point after a year of studying at the Virginia Military Institute. At West Point, he participated in fencing, track and field, and tried out for the football team but never played due to breaking both of his arms. During his senior year, he set the school record in hurdles, and graduated in 1909.

In 1912, while stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia, Patton was selected to compete in the first modern pentathlon in the Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. The modern pentathlon consists of fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross country running. He finished fifth in the event.

In 1913, as a young Army lieutenant, Patton was appointed as “Master of the Sword” at the Mounted Service School in Fort Riley, Kansas. During this time, he designed the M1913 Cavalry Saber, also known as the “Patton Saber.”

Patton was sent into combat for the first time in 1916 during the Pancho Villa Expedition — a military operation conducted by the United States Army against Mexican Revolutionary Forces.

Julio Cardenas, a commander of the revolutionary Pancho Villa’s Army, was brought down by a detachment of seven soldiers and two interpreters led by Patton. “The incident made headlines across the United States, and Patton was hailed a hero. He loved the limelight. Destined for even greater fame, he received a quick promotion to first lieutenant and [was] made captain within a year,” said historian Michael Haskew.

Patton excelled at tank warfare strategy, commanding the U.S. tank school in France in 1917. As part of the United States Tanks Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces, he led a tank expedition into combat during World War I. He was wounded near the end of the war.

After World War I, Patton became a critical figure in developing the Army’s armored warfare doctrine. He then served in various positions in tank and cavalry units across the United States. In 1938, he was promoted to colonel.

At the start of World War II, Patton was assigned to command the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions. In 1942, he led his troops to North Africa, where his flamboyant and vulgar speeches earned him the nickname “Old Blood and Guts” among his troops. This same year, he led his men to victory during Operation Torch and commanded the U.S. Seventh Army during the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943.

A biography about Patton written by the History Channel said, “Though he had hoped to lead the Allied invasion of Normandy, Patton was instead publicly assigned command of a fictitious force that was preparing for an invasion in southeastern England. With the German command distracted by a phantom invasion of Pas de Calais, France, the Allies were able to make their actual landings on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day (June 6, 1944). After the 1st Army broke the German line, Patton’s 3rd Army swept through the breach into northern France in pursuit of Nazi forces. Under his decisive leadership, the Third Army took the lead in relieving beleaguered American troops at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. In early 1945, he led his army across the Rhine River and into Germany, capturing 10,000 miles of territory and helping to liberate the country from Nazi rule.”

In 1945, Patton was promoted to the rank of general. This same year, hen was assigned to command The United States Fifteenth Army in American-occupied Germany. Two months later, he was severely injured in an auto accident, suffering spinal cord and neck injuries. He died from pulmonary embolism 12 days later, on Dec. 21, 1945.

Patton was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross, a Distinguished Service Medal, a Legion of Merit, a Silver Star, a Congressional Life Saving Medal of Honor, a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, a Mexican Service Badge and a Victory Medal with four stars. He was also awarded various foreign decorations.

We honor his service.

Writer: David Melhorn

Editors: Jenna Downey, Cynthia Xu

Researchers: John Bergstrom, Chenou Yang

Graphic Designer: Yasmine Pierce