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General George S. Patton, Jr.
November 11, 1885 - December 21, 1945
November 11, 1885 - December 21, 1945
George S. Patton, Jr. was born into a wealthy ranching family in San Marino, CA on November 11, 1885. He would follow the family tradition set by his grandfather and father, and attend the Virginia Military Institute. After two years at VMI, Patton transfered to West Point where he graduated in 1909, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Army.
Patton's military service before World War II would include serving as an aid to Gen. Blackjack Pershing during the Mexican War with Pancho Villa. During World War I, Gen. Pershing sent Patton to Armor School where Patton joined the newly formed Tank Corps. After World War I, Patton rejoined his old unit and wrote several papers on tanks in war for the military.
In 1940, Patton was promoted to Brig. General and became commander of the 1st Armored Corps stationed in Ft. Benning, Georgia. When America entered the war on December 7, 1941, commanders knew that their first theater of operations would most likely be North Africa fighting against the infamous "Desert Fox", Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, and his Afrika Korps. They knew that American troops were not prepared to do battle with the Afrika Korps, and ordered Patton to establish a desert training center to prepare his armored divisions for desert warfare.
In November 1942, Patton planned and executed Operation Torch, the Invasion of North Africa. His meticulous planning and study of Rommel's battle tactics allowed him to defeat the Desert Fox in North Africa and conquer Sicily for the allies.
Relieved of his command for slapping two soldiers for cowardice, Gen. Eisenhower kept Patton in Europe. After the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944, Patton was given command of the 3rd Army, and defeated Rommel again, saving the 101st Airborne in the Battle of the Bulge.
On December 21, 1945, Gen. Patton died of a broken neck suffered in an auto accident. As he had instructed in his will, he is buried with his men at the American Cemetery at Hamm, Luxemburg.
Patton's military service before World War II would include serving as an aid to Gen. Blackjack Pershing during the Mexican War with Pancho Villa. During World War I, Gen. Pershing sent Patton to Armor School where Patton joined the newly formed Tank Corps. After World War I, Patton rejoined his old unit and wrote several papers on tanks in war for the military.
In 1940, Patton was promoted to Brig. General and became commander of the 1st Armored Corps stationed in Ft. Benning, Georgia. When America entered the war on December 7, 1941, commanders knew that their first theater of operations would most likely be North Africa fighting against the infamous "Desert Fox", Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, and his Afrika Korps. They knew that American troops were not prepared to do battle with the Afrika Korps, and ordered Patton to establish a desert training center to prepare his armored divisions for desert warfare.
In November 1942, Patton planned and executed Operation Torch, the Invasion of North Africa. His meticulous planning and study of Rommel's battle tactics allowed him to defeat the Desert Fox in North Africa and conquer Sicily for the allies.
Relieved of his command for slapping two soldiers for cowardice, Gen. Eisenhower kept Patton in Europe. After the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944, Patton was given command of the 3rd Army, and defeated Rommel again, saving the 101st Airborne in the Battle of the Bulge.
On December 21, 1945, Gen. Patton died of a broken neck suffered in an auto accident. As he had instructed in his will, he is buried with his men at the American Cemetery at Hamm, Luxemburg.