George S Patton
General George Patton was given the name “Old Blood and Guts” by his men. He was an American General that soldiers admired and enemies feared intensely. He had a reputation for being reckless, daring, and Innovative. From a young age he was groomed for the military. He rose through the ranks of the Army, and became one of the most elite generals of the 20th century. His innovation and tactics still influence the battlefield to this day.
George Smith Patton JR. was born on November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California. Both his father and grandfather graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Patton’s grandfather was a personal student of the legendary Civil War general Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and later became the commander of the 22nd Virginia Infantry during the Civil War. (Patton 9) “Similarly, His grandfathers brother, Waller Tazewell Patton, was wounded at Second Bull Run, and then fell in Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.” (Patton 9) Patton was very proud of his family’s military and aristocratic background. It was a pride that he frequently mentioned in his personal diaries. It was because of his lineage that Patton thought it was his destiny to become a great military commander. Patton excelled at the Virginia Military institute for one year; he then transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1905. (Biography Resource Center)
Patton graduated from West Point in 1909. “He first received considerable notice when in 1916, serving as an unofficial aide to General John J. Pershing, Patton participated in the punitive expedition into Mexico.” (Biography Resource Center, George S Patton) Patton was always searching for the opportunity to gain a reputation as a formidable commander. He got his chance in a battle with Mexican guerilla leader Pancho Villa. Patton personally shot and killed three of Pancho Villa’s bodyguards. .(Biography Resource Center, George S Patton)
Patton would soon have
George Smith Patton JR. was born on November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California. Both his father and grandfather graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Patton’s grandfather was a personal student of the legendary Civil War general Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and later became the commander of the 22nd Virginia Infantry during the Civil War. (Patton 9) “Similarly, His grandfathers brother, Waller Tazewell Patton, was wounded at Second Bull Run, and then fell in Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.” (Patton 9) Patton was very proud of his family’s military and aristocratic background. It was a pride that he frequently mentioned in his personal diaries. It was because of his lineage that Patton thought it was his destiny to become a great military commander. Patton excelled at the Virginia Military institute for one year; he then transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1905. (Biography Resource Center)
Patton graduated from West Point in 1909. “He first received considerable notice when in 1916, serving as an unofficial aide to General John J. Pershing, Patton participated in the punitive expedition into Mexico.” (Biography Resource Center, George S Patton) Patton was always searching for the opportunity to gain a reputation as a formidable commander. He got his chance in a battle with Mexican guerilla leader Pancho Villa. Patton personally shot and killed three of Pancho Villa’s bodyguards. .(Biography Resource Center, George S Patton)
Patton would soon have
Cited: Axelrod, Alan. PATTON. 2006. BLUMENSON, MARTIN. THE PATTON PAPERS 1940-1945. 1974. “General George Patton” History Study Center, Pro Quest. Jul 26, 2010. "George S. Patton." American Decades. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center "George Smith Patton."Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 3: 1941-1945. American Council of Learned Societies, 1973. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center "George Smith Patton, Jr." Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2010. “Patton, George Smith, Jr. (1885-1956) Gale Virtual Reference Library. Jul 25, 2010.