General George Smith Patton Jr.
General George Smith Patton Jr. is one of the most interesting military men in the History of the United States. He was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California and is known as one of the most successful US commanders in any war. During his childhood Patton’s inspiration and personal goal in life was to be a hero of war. Apparently, it may have been in his genes, as several of his ancestors had fought in many wars before him to include the Revolutionary war, Mexican war and the Civil war. After High School Patton attended the Virginia Military Institute for a year (“General George S Patton”). The story goes that while a Cadet there he was disciplined for riding a horse down a flight of stairs. From there he went on to graduate from the US Military Academy at West Point New York, after which he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Fifteenth Calvary regiment.
Shortly after graduation, Patton married a young lady named Beatrice Ayer whom he dated while a Cadet at West Point. In 1912, Patton represented the US in the Stockholm Olympics, competing in the first modern pentathlon. This event was originally open to military officers and was considered a rigorous test, of the skills, a soldier should possess. It consisted of a 25 meter pistol shoot, sword fencing, a 300 meter swim, an 800 meter horseback ride and a 4 kilometer run (“General George S Patton”). Twenty six year old Patton excelled in the multi event competition. However, during the competition Patton was docked points for missing the target. He placed 5th overall even after failing miserably in the shooting portion. Instead of using a .22 caliber revolver like everyone else, he chose a .38 caliber revol...
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...held sharply different opinions on him he was regarded highly by his opponents in the German high command”( “George S Patton” History.com).
“On December 9 he suffered injuries as the result of an automobile accident. He died 12 days later, on December 21, 1945 and is buried among the soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulge in Hamm, Luxenburg”( “George S Patton” History.com).
Gitlin, Marty. George S. Patton: World War II General & Military Innovator . Edina, MN: ABDO Pub.Co.2010.
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Wikipedia: General George S Patton Jr. Wikimedia Foundation. Inc. 22 July 2004. 19 May 2014.
Staff, History.com. "History.com. George S Patton. American & World." . A+E Networks, 1 Jan. 2009. Web. 19 May 2014. .
First, we will discuss General George Armstrong Custer who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York in the last of his class in 18613. To his benefit, the Civil War had just begun and the need for trained officers was paramount at the time. Custer was first commissioned as a second lieutenant and assigned to the 2ND Cavalry Regiment where he performed duties as a runner during the first Battle...
General Patton as born in Virginia in the late 1860s and was raised by both his parents with his sister. He had a good relationship with his family, not many fights or arguments. He was brought up in the South and was taught to be a real gentlemen. This is why he is considered not only one of the United States greatest generals, but also a great person himself. He was in the Olympic games in Stockholm and served in West Point military school. During the first World War he served in the 304th tank brigade and lead his platoon to many quality wins in Europe. In World War II, he was leader of the 504th platoon in Morocco and then moved over to the European front and lead his troops to victory and one of the biggest battles at the Battle of the Bulge.
Weigley, Russel F. History of the United States Army. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1st Edition, 1984.
Brigade General Scales, Robert H. JR. Certain Victory. The U.S. Army in the Gulf War.
Sanderson, Jefferey. "GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR.” Last modified may 22, 1997. Accessed January 4, 2014. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a331356.pdf&ei=tYbHUtv3HcGs2gX2u4HAAQ&usg=AFQjCNFU5EzdWjKlt81w8gh_Bj2UEttaZw&sig2=aAz3jIZg7U6peDzL_i8w9w.
Hogan, D. (2004). Centuries of Service. Retrieved September 11, 2009, from the Center of Military History website
Cameron, R. S. (2003). The army vision: The 4th AD in world war II. Military Review, 83(6), 59-68
General George B. McClellan was born to a prestigious upper class family in Pennsylvania. He attended the Military Academy at West Point and graduated second in his class in 1846. He served during the war with Mexico and earned three brevets for gallantry and sound professional service. He resigned his commission but returned early during the Civil War and immediately given a high rank. He led a successful campaign in West Virginia. These events fueled General McClellan’s egotistical and elitist attitudes.
Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, through dedication to his mission and the welfare of his marines, was a visionary leader even by today’s standards. In his youth, Chesty attempted to join World War I before he had reached the required age. He attended Virginia Military Institute, but dropped out after one year to satisfy his urge to experience combat. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a private and remained enlisted for only a year before his commissioning as a lieutenant. Unfortunately, the war ended before he was able to experience combat. When a force reduction ensued after the end of the war, Lt Puller was sent to the reserves and given the ...
Bigelow, Barbara C., and Christine Slovey. "Jerry Stanley?." World War II: primary sources. Detroit: UXL, 2000. 85-89. Print.
World War II was a critical period for America, not to mention the world as well. Throughout all the fighting and bloodshed, Americans returned home successful. Over 700,000 soldiers were disabled after the war, thankful for their lives. All the success and happiness of this country wouldn’t have been possible if not for the bravery, courage, and strategies of our U.S. Generals. They provided the smarts, the morale, and motivation for our soldiers, navy, and airforce to come out victorious and recognized as the best in world history. The five major generals (George Marshall, Dwight Eisenhower, George Patton, Omar Bradley, and Douglas MacArthur) shall never be forgotten as the best generals America has ever had.
5. Margiotta, Franklin D., Ed. “Brassey’s Encyclopedia of Military History and Biography”, Washington: Brassey’s, Inc. 1994
Have you ever heard of General George Patton Jr. who helped stopped the Nazis from taking over the world? He has an interesting childhood, college life, and a diverse military career.
General George S. Patton, Jr.: Main Concepts, Stategy, Tactics, Leadership. (n.d.). Retrieved May 5, 2013, from University of North Carolina Wilimington: http://people.uncw.edu/kozloffm/pattonnew.doc
MacArthur, Douglas. “Duty, Honor, Country.” Sylvanus Thayer Award Acceptance. West Point, NY. 12 May, 1962.