View source for George S. Patton

{{Short description|United States Army general (1885–1945)}}
{{Redirect-multi|2|Patton|George Patton}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| name          = George S. Patton
| image         = General George Patton by Robert F. Cranston, Lee Elkins, and Harry Warnecke, 1945, color carbro print, from the National Portrait Gallery - NPG-NPG 95 404Patton-000002.jpg
| image_size    = 
| alt           = 
| caption       = 1945 portrait
| nickname      = "Bandito"<br />"Old Blood and Guts"
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1885|11|11|df=y}}
| birth_place   = [[San Gabriel, California]], U.S.
| death_date    = {{death date and age|1945|12|21|1885|11|11|df=y}}
| death_place   = [[Heidelberg]], Germany
| placeofburial = [[Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial]]
| allegiance    = United States
| branch        = [[United States Army]]
| serviceyears  = 1909–1945
| rank          = [[General (United States)|General]]
| servicenumber = 0-2605
| unit          = [[United States Cavalry|Cavalry Branch]]
| commands      = {{Plainlist|
* [[Fifteenth United States Army]]
* [[United States Army Central|Third United States Army]]
* [[Seventh United States Army]]
* [[II Corps (United States)|II Corps]]
* [[Desert Training Center]]
* [[I Armored Corps (United States)|I Armored Corps]]
* [[2nd Armored Division (United States)|2nd Armored Division]]
* 2nd Brigade, 2nd Armored Division
* [[3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment|3rd Cavalry Regiment]]
* [[5th Cavalry Regiment]]
* [[3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (United States)|3rd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry]]
* [[66th Armor Regiment (United States)|304th Tank Brigade]]
}}
| battles       = {{hidden
|''See battles''
|{{tree list}}
'''[[Mexican Border War (1910–1919)|Border War]]'''
* [[Pancho Villa Expedition]]
----
'''[[World War I]]'''
* [[Battle of Saint-Mihiel|Saint Mihiel Campaign]]
* [[Battle of the Argonne|Meuse-Argonne Campaign]]
----
'''[[World War II]]'''
* [[Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II|Mediterranean Theater of War]]
** [[North African campaign]]
*** [[Operation Torch]]
**** [[Operation Brushwood]]
**** [[Battle of Port Lyautey]]
*** [[Tunisian campaign]]
**** [[Battle of El Guettar]]
* [[European theatre of World War II|European theater]]
** [[Operation Husky]]
*** [[Battle of Gela (1943)|Battle of Gela]]
*** [[Battle of Troina]]
* [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]]
** [[Allied invasion of France]]
*** [[Operation Overlord]]
**** [[Falaise pocket]]
***** [[Battle of Chambois]]
** [[Siegfried Line campaign]]
*** [[Lorraine campaign]]
**** [[Battle of Nancy (1944)|Battle of Nancy]]
**** [[Battle of Arracourt]]
**** [[Battle of Metz]]
***** [[Battle of Fort Driant]]
*** [[Saar campaign]]
**** [[Battle of the Saar River]]
***** [[Battle of Saarlautern]]
*** [[Battle of the Bulge]]
**** [[Siege of Bastogne]]
** [[Saar-Palatinate campaign]]
*** [[Eifel campaign]]
** [[Western Allied invasion of Germany|Central Europe Campaign]]
*** [[Task Force Baum]]
*** [[Battle of Aschaffenburg (1945)|Battle of Aschaffenburg]]
*** [[Danube offensive]]
**** [[Western Bohemia offensive]]
{{tree list/end}}
|-
|headerstyle=background:#dbdbdb
|style=text-align:center;
}}
| awards        = {{Plainlist|
* [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]] (2)
* [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]] (3)
* [[Silver Star]] (2)
* [[Legion of Merit]]
* [[Bronze Star Medal]]
* [[Purple Heart]]
* ''[[#Orders, decorations and medals|Complete list of decorations]]''
}}
| alma_mater    = {{Plainlist|
* [[United States Military Academy]] (class of 1909)
* [[Virginia Military Institute]] (attended but did not graduate)
}}
| spouse        = {{marriage|Beatrice Banning Ayer|26 May 1910}}
| children      = 3, including [[George Patton IV]]
| relations     = {{Plainlist|
* [[George S. Patton (attorney)|George Smith Patton II]] (father)
* [[George S. Patton Sr.|George Smith Patton I]] (paternal grandfather)
* [[Benjamin Davis Wilson]] (maternal grandfather)
* [[Frederick Ayer]] (father-in-law)
* [[John K. Waters]] (son-in-law)
* [[Willie (dog)|Willie]] (dog)
}}
| laterwork     = 
| signature     = George S Patton Signature.svg
| signature_size = 175
}}

'''George Smith Patton Jr.''' (11 November 1885 – 21 December 1945) was a [[General (United States)|general]] in the [[United States Army]] who commanded the [[Seventh United States Army|Seventh Army]] in the [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations|Mediterranean Theater]] of [[World War II]], then the [[United States Army Central|Third Army]] in [[Western Front (World War II)|France and Germany]] after the [[Allied invasion of Normandy]] in June 1944.

Born in 1885, Patton attended the [[Virginia Military Institute]] and the [[United States Military Academy]] at [[United States Military Academy|West Point]]. He studied [[fencing]] and designed the [[Model 1913 Cavalry Saber|M1913 Cavalry Saber]], more commonly known as the "Patton Saber." He competed in the [[modern pentathlon]] at the [[Modern pentathlon at the 1912 Summer Olympics|1912 Summer Olympics]] in [[Stockholm]], Sweden, finishing in fifth place. Patton entered combat during the [[Pancho Villa Expedition]] of 1916, the United States' first military action using motor vehicles. He fought in [[World War I]] as part of the new [[Tank Corps of the American Expeditionary Force|United States Tank Corps]] of the [[American Expeditionary Forces]]: he commanded the U.S. tank school in France, then led tanks into combat and was wounded near the end of the war. In the interwar period, Patton became a central figure in the development of the army's [[armored warfare]] doctrine, serving in numerous staff positions throughout the country. At the United States' entry into World War II, he commanded the [[2nd Armored Division (United States)|2nd Armored Division]].

Patton led U.S. troops into the Mediterranean theater with an invasion of [[Casablanca]] during [[Operation Torch]] in 1942, and soon established himself as an effective commander by rapidly rehabilitating the demoralized [[II Corps (United States)|II Corps]]. He commanded the U.S. Seventh Army during the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]], where he was the first Allied commander to reach [[Messina]]. There he was embroiled in controversy after he [[George S. Patton slapping incidents|slapped two shell-shocked soldiers]], and was temporarily removed from battlefield command. He was assigned a key role in [[Operation Fortitude]], the Allies' [[military deception]] campaign for [[Operation Overlord]]. At the start of the [[Western Allied invasion of France]], Patton was given command of the Third Army, which conducted a highly successful rapid armored [[Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine|drive across France]]. Under his decisive leadership, the Third Army took the lead in relieving beleaguered American troops at [[Siege of Bastogne|Bastogne]] during the [[Battle of the Bulge]], after which his forces drove deep into [[Nazi Germany]] by the end of the war. During the [[Allied-occupied Germany|Allied occupation of Germany]], Patton was named [[military governor]] of [[Bavaria]], but was relieved for making aggressive statements towards the [[Soviet Union]] and questioning [[denazification]]. Patton was also a known [[Antisemitism|antisemite]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ricks |first=Thomas E. |date=26 March 2025 |title=Patton the anti-Semite—and hypocrite |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/06/25/patton-the-anti-semite-and-hypocrite/ |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Patton, George S., Jr. {{!}} A dark and disturbing letter written by General George Patton three days before being relieved of command of the Third Army {{!}} The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman {{!}} Highly Important Printed and Manuscript Americana {{!}} 2021 |url=https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/the-passion-of-american-collectors-property-of-barbara-and-ira-lipman-highly-important-printed-and-manuscript-americana/patton-george-s-jr-a-dark-and-disturbing-letter |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=Sotheby's |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Richard |date=29 September 2014 |title=What Bill O'Reilly ignored about George Patton |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/richard-cohen-bill-oreilly-ignored-george-pattons-anti-semitism/2014/09/29/afe3e3ea-4806-11e4-b72e-d60a9229cc10_story.html |location= |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=24 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gelernter |first=Josh |date=20 June 2015 |title=Tim Hunt, George Patton, and Death Camps |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2015/06/tim-hunt-sexism-cancer/ |website=nationalreview.com |access-date=24 March 2025}}</ref>{{eci|date=August 2025}} He commanded the [[Fifteenth United States Army|United States Fifteenth Army]] for slightly more than two months. Severely injured in an auto accident, he died in Germany twelve days later, on 21 December 1945. 

Patton's colorful image, hard-driving personality, and success as a commander were at times overshadowed by his controversial public statements. His philosophy of leading from the front, and his ability to inspire troops with attention-getting, vulgarity-laden speeches, such as his [[George S. Patton's speech to the Third Army|famous address to the Third Army]], were received favorably by his troops, but much less so by a sharply divided Allied high command. His sending the doomed [[Task Force Baum]] to liberate his son-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel [[John K. Waters]], from a prisoner-of-war camp further damaged his standing with his superiors. His emphasis on rapid and aggressive offensive action proved effective, and he was regarded highly by his opponents in the [[Oberkommando der Wehrmacht|German High Command]]. The 1970 [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-winning biographical film ''[[Patton (film)|Patton]]'' helped popularize his image.
== Early life ==
George Smith Patton Jr. was born on 11 November 1885,{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=29}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=17}} in the [[Los Angeles]] suburb of [[San Gabriel, California]], to [[George S. Patton (attorney)|George S. Patton]] and his wife, Ruth Wilson, the daughter of [[Benjamin Davis Wilson]], the second mayor of Los Angeles, and Margaret Hereford, a widow from Virginia.<ref name="loomis">{{cite book |last1=Loomis |first1=Jan |title=Westside Chronicles: Historic Stories of West Los Angeles |date=2012 |publisher=The History Press |location=Charleston, South Carolina |isbn=9781609496234 |page=22}}</ref> The wealthy Patton family resided at Lake Vineyard, built by Benjamin Wilson, on {{convert|128|acres}} in present-day [[San Marino, California]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Manchester |first=William |title=The glory and the dream: a narrative history of America; 1932 - 1972 |date=1974 |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=978-0-316-54496-2 |edition=2. print |location=Boston |pages=6}}</ref> Patton had a younger sister, Anne, nicknamed "Nita".{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=11–12}} Nita became [[John J. Pershing#Nita Patton|engaged to John J. Pershing]], Patton's mentor, in 1917, but the engagement ended because of their separation during Pershing's time in France during World War I. Patton's paternal grandfather was  Confederate colonel  [[George S. Patton Sr.]]
{{Anchor|Anne Patton}}
{{Anchor|Nita Patton}}

[[File:Nita Patton (Sister of General George S. Patton).jpg|thumb|upright|Anne Wilson "Nita" Patton, Patton's sister. She was engaged to [[John J. Pershing]] in 1917–1918]]

As a child, Patton had difficulty learning to read and write, but eventually overcame this and was known in his adult life to be an avid reader.{{efn|Historians [[Carlo D'Este]] and [[Alan Axelrod]] note in their biographies of Patton that these difficulties were likely the result of undiagnosed [[dyslexia]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=11–12}} }} He was tutored from home until the age of eleven, when he was enrolled in [[Stephen Cutter Clark]]{{'}}s<ref>{{cite web |title=Classical School for Boys |url=https://calisphere.org/item/546b5f62456777b00633f65147dca652/ |website=[[calisphere]] |access-date=7 September 2022 |language=English |date=1891 |quote=Classical School for Boys, 59 So Euclid Ave opened in 1889. New building erected in 1891. Steven Cutter Clark, principal |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908001410/https://calisphere.org/item/546b5f62456777b00633f65147dca652/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Classical School for Boys, a private school in Pasadena, for six years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lot Detail – George Patton's 1899 School Report Card and Signed Envelope Dated 1906 |url=https://goldinauctions.com/George_Patton_s_1899_School_Report_Card_and_Signed-LOT13604.aspx |website=goldinauctions.com |access-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428040115/https://goldinauctions.com/George_Patton_s_1899_School_Report_Card_and_Signed-LOT13604.aspx |archive-date=28 April 2022}}</ref> Patton was described as an intelligent boy and was widely read in classical [[military history]], particularly the exploits of [[Hannibal]], [[Scipio Africanus]], [[Julius Caesar]], [[Joan of Arc]], and [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], as well as those of family friend [[John Singleton Mosby]], who frequently stopped by the Patton family home when George was a child.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=11–12}} He was also a devoted [[horseback rider]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=13}}

Patton never seriously considered a career other than the military.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=13}} At the age of seventeen he sought an appointment to the [[United States Military Academy]] at West Point, New York. He also applied to several universities with military corps of cadet programs, and was accepted to [[Princeton University|Princeton]], but eventually decided on the  [[Virginia Military Institute]] (VMI), which his father and grandfather had attended.<ref name="vmi.edu/patton-family">{{cite web |title=Patton Family at VMI |url=https://www.vmi.edu/archives/genealogy-biography-alumni/featured-historical-biographies/patton-family-at-vmi/ |website=[[Virginia Military Institute]] |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908001422/https://www.vmi.edu/archives/genealogy-biography-alumni/featured-historical-biographies/patton-family-at-vmi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=14–15}} He attended the school from 1903 to 1904, and though he struggled with reading and writing, performed exceptionally in uniform and appearance inspection, as well as military drill.

[[File:Patton at VMI 1907.jpg|thumb|upright|Patton at the [[Virginia Military Institute]]]]

While he was at VMI, Senator [[Thomas R. Bard]] nominated him for West Point.{{sfn|Blumenson|1972|p=92}} He was an initiate of the Beta Commission of [[Kappa Alpha Order]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kappaalphaorder.org/award/distinguished-achievement-award/george-s-patton-jr|title=distinguished-achievement-award/george-s-patton-jr|publisher=kappaalphaorder.org|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926171747/https://www.kappaalphaorder.org/award/distinguished-achievement-award/george-s-patton-jr|url-status=live}}</ref>

In his plebe (first) year at West Point, Patton adjusted easily to the routine. However, his academic performance was so poor that he was forced to repeat his first year after failing [[mathematics]].{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=7}} He excelled at military drills, though his academic performance remained average. He was cadet sergeant major during his junior year, and the cadet adjutant his senior year. He also joined the football team, but he injured his arm and stopped playing on several occasions. Instead he tried out for the sword team and [[track and field]] and specialized in the [[modern pentathlon]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=20–23}} He competed in this sport in the [[1912 Summer Olympics]] in [[Stockholm]], and he finished in fifth place—right behind four [[Sweden|Swedes]].{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=19}}

Patton graduated number 46 out of 103 cadets at West Point on 11 June 1909,<ref>{{Cite web|title=v1909 15|url=https://digital-library.usma.edu/digital/collection/p16919coll3/id/3311/rec/96|access-date=17 November 2020|website=digital-library.usma.edu|language=en|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200653/https://digital-library.usma.edu/digital/collection/p16919coll3/id/3311/rec/96|url-status=live}}</ref> and received a [[officer (armed forces)|commission]] as a [[second lieutenant]] in the [[United States Cavalry|Cavalry branch]] of the [[United States Army]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=24}}{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=58, 131}}

At age 24, Patton married Beatrice Banning Ayer, the daughter of Boston industrialist [[Frederick Ayer]], on 26 May 1910, in [[Beverly Farms, Massachusetts]]. They had three children, Beatrice Smith (born March 1911), Ruth Ellen (born February 1915), and [[George Patton IV]] (born December 1923).{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=28, 35, 65–66}} Patton's wife Beatrice died on 30 September 1953, from a ruptured aneurysm<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b3h7fmgwSFcC|title=The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir of Mrs. George S. Patton|first=Ruth Ellen Patton|last=Totten|date=27 March 2005|publisher=University of Missouri Press|isbn=9780826264657 |via=Google Books}}</ref> after falling while riding her horse in a hunt with her brother and others at the [[Myopia Hunt Club]] in [[South Hamilton, Massachusetts]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83016244/1953-09-30/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=''Key West Times'' |work=The Key West citizen |page=1 |oclc=2701762 |access-date=14 June 2021 |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614110308/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83016244/1953-09-30/ed-1/seq-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Patton was an [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopalian]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Barrett | first=Claire | title=Patton and the Battle of the Bulge: 'As soon as you're through with me, I can attack the day after tomorrow morning' | website=HistoryNet | date=16 December 2021 | url=https://www.historynet.com/general-george-s-patton-and-the-battle-of-the-bulge-2/ | access-date=5 August 2024}}</ref>

=== Ancestry ===
The Patton family was of [[Scottish Americans|Scottish]], [[Irish Americans|Irish]], [[Scotch-Irish Americans|Scots-Irish]], [[French Americans|French]], [[English Americans|English]] and [[Welsh Americans|Welsh]] ancestry. His great-grandmother came from an aristocratic Welsh family, descended from many Welsh lords of [[Glamorgan]],{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=13}} which had an extensive military background. Patton believed he had formerly lived as a soldier and took pride in mystical ties with his ancestors.<ref>{{cite book|author=Army Times|title=Warrior; the story of General George S. Patton|year=1967|publisher=Putnam|page=15}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Michael Keane|title=George S. Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=byMjBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA84|year=2014|publisher=Regnery|page=84|isbn=978-1-62157-298-5|access-date=13 November 2016|archive-date=4 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804072721/https://books.google.com/books?id=byMjBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA84|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6_KcBQAAQBAJ&pg=PP3|title=Great Leaders: George Patton|publisher=New Word City|year=2014|pages=3–4|author1=Willard Sterne Randall|author2=Nancy Nahra|isbn=978-1-61230-622-3|access-date=13 November 2016|archive-date=4 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804061946/https://books.google.com/books?id=6_KcBQAAQBAJ&pg=PP3|url-status=live}}</ref> Though not directly descended from [[George Washington]], Patton traced some of his [[English American|English colonial]] roots to George Washington's great-grandfather. He is a 1st cousin six times removed of George Washington.{{sfn|Rice|2004|p=32}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Family relationship of General George S. Patton and George Washington via Lawrence Washington. |url=https://famouskin.com/famous-kin-chart.php?name=10565+george+s+patton&kin=3647+george+washington&via=3651+lawrence+washington |access-date=3 July 2024 |website=famouskin.com}}</ref>

He was also descended from England's [[Edward I of England|King Edward I]] through Edward's son [[Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent]].{{sfn|Rice|2004|p=32}} Family belief held the Pattons were descended from sixteen barons who had signed [[Magna Carta]].{{sfn|Rice|2004|p=32}} Patton believed in [[reincarnation]], stating that he had fought in previous battles and wars before his time, additionally, his ancestry was very important to him, forming a central part of his personal identity.<ref>''21st Century Patton: Strategic Insights for the Modern Era'' edited by J. Furman Daniel III, p. 61.</ref> The first Patton in North America was Robert Patton, born in [[Ayr]], [[Scotland]]. He emigrated to [[Culpeper, Virginia]], from [[Glasgow]], in either 1769 or 1770.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=9}}

George Patton, Jr.'s paternal grandfather was [[George S. Patton Sr.|George Smith Patton]], who commanded the [[22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment|22nd Virginia Infantry]] under [[Jubal Early]] in the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and was killed in the [[Third Battle of Winchester]], while his great-uncle [[Waller T. Patton]] was killed in [[Pickett's Charge]] leading the [[7th Virginia Infantry Regiment|7th Virginia Infantry]] regiment during the [[Battle of Gettysburg]]. Patton also descended from [[Hugh Mercer]], a Scottish Brigadier General, who had been killed in the [[Battle of Princeton]] during the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Patton's father, who graduated from the [[Virginia Military Institute]] (VMI), became a lawyer and later the [[district attorney]] of [[Los Angeles County]]. Patton's maternal grandfather was [[Benjamin Davis Wilson]], a merchant who had been the second [[Mayor of Los Angeles]].<ref name="snac/99166/w6nm5g3z">{{cite web |title=Patton family |url=https://snaccooperative.org/ark:/99166/w6nm5g3z |website=[[Social Networks and Archival Context]] |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908001432/https://snaccooperative.org/ark:/99166/w6nm5g3z |url-status=live }}</ref>

His father was a wealthy rancher and lawyer who owned a {{convert|1000|acre|spell=in|adj=on}} ranch near [[Pasadena, California]].<ref name="snac/99166/w6nm5g3z" /><ref name="Essame2008">{{cite book|author=Essame|title=Patton|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EeQ5CEeVPC4C&pg=PA2|date=10 November 2008|publisher=Da Capo|page=2|isbn=978-0-7867-4305-6}}</ref>{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=6}} Wilson had married into one of the original Southern California settler families by marrying Ramona Yorba, who was the daughter of prominent [[Californio]] (Spanish and Mexican settlers in California) [[Bernardo Yorba]], after whom the city of [[Yorba Linda]] is named. Patton is also a descendant of French [[Huguenot]] [[Louis DuBois (Huguenot)|Louis DuBois]].<ref>Bennett, Abram Elting. ''Huguenots migration: descendants' contributions to America''. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1984. p. 109.{{ISBN?}}</ref><ref>Patton, Robert H. ''The Pattons: A Personal History of an American Family''. 1994, pp. 3–5.{{ISBN?}}</ref>

== Early military career ==
Patton's first posting was with the [[15th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|15th Cavalry]] at [[Fort Sheridan, Illinois]],{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=20}} where he established himself as a diligent leader who impressed superiors with his dedication.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=26–27}} In late 1911, Patton was transferred to [[Fort Myer]], Virginia, where many of the Army's senior leaders were stationed. Befriending [[United States Secretary of War|Secretary of War]] [[Henry L. Stimson]], Patton served as his aide at social functions on top of his regular duties as [[quartermaster]] for his troop.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=28–29}} Patton had a high-pitched voice and worried that this would make it impossible for him to inspire his troops.<ref>[http://www.americainwwii.com/articles/patton-loved-hated-appreciated/ "Patton: Loved, Hated, Appreciated"], Richard Sassaman, www.americainwwii.com, 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2022</ref>

=== 1912 Olympics ===

[[File:1912 fencing patton and mas latrie.jpg|thumb|right|Patton (right) fencing in the [[modern pentathlon at the 1912 Summer Olympics|modern pentathlon]] of the [[1912 Summer Olympics]]]]

For his skill in running and fencing, Patton was selected as the Army's entry for the first [[modern pentathlon at the 1912 Summer Olympics|modern pentathlon]] at the [[1912 Olympic Games]] in [[Stockholm]], Sweden.{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=8}} Patton was the only American among the 42 pentathletes, who were all officers.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=acTcAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA104 |page=104 |title=Sport, Militarism and the Great War: Martial Manliness and Armageddon |editor1=Thierry Terret |editor2=J. A. Mangan |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781135760885 |access-date=26 January 2021 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626153449/https://books.google.com/books?id=acTcAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA104 |url-status=live }}</ref> Patton placed twenty-first on the pistol range, seventh in [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], fourth in [[fencing]], sixth in the [[equestrianism|equestrian]] competition, and third in the footrace, finishing fifth overall and first among the non-Swedish competitors.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=30}}

There was some controversy concerning his performance in the pistol shooting competition, in which he used a [[.38]] caliber U.S. Army-issue pistol while most of the other competitors chose [[.22 Long Rifle|.22 caliber]] firearms. He claimed that the holes in the paper from his early shots were so large that a later bullet passed through them, but the judges decided that one of his bullets missed the target completely. Modern competitions at this level frequently now employ a moving backdrop specifically to track multiple shots through the same hole.{{sfn|Blumenson|1972|pp=231–234}}{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=132–133}} If his assertion was correct, Patton would likely have won an [[Olympic medal]] in the event.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=134}} The judges' ruling was upheld. Patton's only comment on the matter was:

{{blockquote|The high spirit of sportsmanship and generosity manifested throughout speaks volumes for the character of the officers of the present day. There was not a single incident of a protest or any unsportsmanlike quibbling or fighting for points which I may say, marred some of the other civilian competitions at the Olympic Games. Each man did his best and took what fortune sent them like a true soldier, and at the end we all felt more like good friends and comrades than rivals in a severe competition, yet this spirit of friendship in no manner detracted from the zeal with which all strove for success.{{sfn|Blumenson|1972|pp=231–234}} |author=|title=|source=}}

=== Sword design ===

Following the 1912 Olympics, Patton traveled to [[Saumur]], France, where he learned fencing techniques from Adjutant Charles Cléry, a French "master of arms" and instructor of fencing at the cavalry school there.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=140–142}} Bringing these lessons back to Fort Myer, Patton redesigned saber combat doctrine for the U.S. cavalry, favoring thrusting attacks over the standard slashing maneuver and designing a new sword for such attacks. He was temporarily assigned to the Office of the [[U.S. Army Chief of Staff|Army Chief of Staff]], and in 1913, the first 20,000 of the [[Model 1913 Cavalry Saber]]—popularly known as the "Patton saber"—were ordered.

[[File:Patton Sword.png|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]

Patton then returned to Saumur to learn advanced techniques before bringing his skills to the [[Mounted Service School]] at [[Fort Riley]], Kansas, where he would be both a student and a fencing instructor. He was the first Army officer to be designated "Master of the Sword",{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=31–32}}{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=145}} a title denoting the school's top instructor in swordsmanship.{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=21}} Arriving in September 1913, he taught fencing to other cavalry officers, many of whom were senior to him in rank.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=33–34}}
[[File:Wooltex and George S Patton.jpg|thumb|Patton on his steeplechase horse, Wooltex, in 1914]]
Patton graduated from this school in June 1915. He was originally intended to return to the 15th Cavalry,{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=153}} which was bound for the Philippines. Fearing this assignment would dead-end his career, Patton travelled to [[Washington, D.C.]], during 11 days of leave and convinced influential friends to arrange a reassignment for him to the [[8th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|8th Cavalry]] at [[Fort Bliss]], Texas, anticipating that instability in Mexico might boil over into a full-scale civil war.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=35}} In the meantime, Patton was selected to participate in the [[1916 Summer Olympics]], but that Olympiad was cancelled due to [[World War I]].{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=148}}

== Pancho Villa Expedition ==
{{Main|Pancho Villa Expedition}}

In 1915, Lieutenant Patton was assigned to border patrol duty with A Troop of the 8th Cavalry, based in [[Sierra Blanca, Texas|Sierra Blanca]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=36}}{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=158–159}} During his time in the town, Patton took to wearing his M1911 [[M1911|Colt .45]] in his belt rather than a holster. His firearm [[Unintentional discharge (firearms)|discharged accidentally]] one night in a [[Western saloon|saloon]], so he swapped it for an ivory-handled [[Colt Single Action Army]] revolver, a weapon that would later become an icon of Patton's image.{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=9}}

In March 1916, Mexican forces loyal to [[Pancho Villa]] crossed into [[New Mexico]] and [[Battle of Columbus (1916)|raided the border town of Columbus]]. The violence in [[Columbus, New Mexico|Columbus]] killed several Americans. In response, the U.S. launched the [[Pancho Villa Expedition]] into Mexico. Chagrined to discover that his unit would not participate, Patton appealed to expedition commander [[John J. Pershing]], and was named his personal [[Aide-de-camp|aide]] for the expedition. This meant that Patton would have some role in organizing the effort, and his eagerness and dedication to the task impressed Pershing.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=162–163}}{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=10}} Patton modeled much of his leadership style after Pershing, who favored strong, decisive actions and commanding from the front.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=165}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=31}} As an aide, Patton oversaw the logistics of Pershing's transportation and acted as his personal courier.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=38–39}}

[[File:1915-dodge-archives.jpg|thumb|The durability of the 1915 Dodge Brothers Model 30-35 touring car won renown for the new automaker following its use in the 1916 [[Pancho Villa Expedition]]{{sfn|Jowett|de Quesada|2006|p=25}}]]
In mid-April, Patton asked Pershing for the opportunity to command troops, and was assigned to Troop C of the [[U.S. 13th Cavalry Regiment|13th Cavalry]] to assist in the manhunt for Villa and his subordinates.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=40}} His initial combat experience came on 14 May 1916, in what would become the first motorized attack in the history of U.S. warfare. A force of ten soldiers and two civilian guides, under Patton's command, with the [[U.S. 6th Infantry Regiment|6th Infantry]] in three [[Dodge]] touring cars surprised three of Villa's men during a foraging expedition, killing [[Julio Cárdenas]] and two of his guards.{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=10}}{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=41–42}} It was not clear if Patton personally killed any of the men, but he was known to have wounded all three.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=172–175}} The incident garnered Patton both Pershing's good favor and widespread media attention as a "bandit killer".{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=10}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=32}} Shortly after, he was promoted to [[first lieutenant]] while a part of the 10th Cavalry on 23 May 1916.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=36}} Patton remained in Mexico until the end of the year. President [[Woodrow Wilson]] forbade the expedition from conducting aggressive patrols deeper into Mexico, so it remained encamped in the Mexican border states for much of that time. In October Patton briefly retired to California after being burned by an exploding gas lamp.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=43}} He returned from the expedition permanently in February 1917.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=46}}

== World War I ==
[[File:111-SC-6375 - Inspection of troops by Gen Pershing - NARA - 55173656 (cropped) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Major General John J. Pershing, accompanied by Captain George S. Patton, inspecting men of Patton's headquarters troop at [[American Expeditionary Forces]] (AEF) headquarters, [[Chaumont, Haute-Marne|Chaumont]], France, 1917]]

After the Villa Expedition, Patton was detailed to [[Front Royal, Virginia]], to oversee horse procurement for the army, but Pershing intervened on his behalf.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=46}} After the [[American entry into World War I|United States entered World War I]], in April 1917, and Pershing was named commander of the [[American Expeditionary Forces]] (AEF) on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]], Patton requested to join his staff.{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=10}} Patton was promoted to [[Captain (United States O-3)|captain]] on 15 May 1917, and left for Europe, among the 180 men of Pershing's advance party which departed 28 May and arrived in [[Liverpool]], England, on 8 June.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=47}} Taken as Pershing's personal aide, Patton oversaw the training of American troops in [[Paris]] until September, then moved to [[Chaumont, Haute-Marne|Chaumont]] and was assigned as a post adjutant, commanding the [[headquarters company]] overseeing the base. Patton was dissatisfied with the post and began to take an interest in [[tank]]s, as Pershing sought to give him command of an infantry battalion.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=47–48}} While in a hospital for [[jaundice]], Patton met [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] [[Fox Conner]], who encouraged him to work with tanks instead of infantry.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=49}}

On 10 November 1917, Patton was assigned to establish the AEF Light Tank School.{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=10}} He left Paris and reported to the [[French Army in World War I|French Army]]'s tank training school at Champlieu near [[Orrouy]], where he drove a [[Renault FT]] [[light tank]]. On 20 November, the [[British Army during the First World War|British]] [[Battle of Cambrai (1917)|launched an offensive]] towards the important rail center of [[Cambrai]], using an unprecedented number of tanks.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=204–208}} At the conclusion of his tour on 1 December, Patton went to [[Albert, Somme|Albert]], {{convert|30|mi|km}} from Cambrai, to be briefed on the results of this attack by the chief of staff of the British [[Royal Tank Regiment|Tank Corps]], [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|Colonel]] [[J. F. C. Fuller]].{{sfn|Blumenson|1972|pp=480–483}} On the way back to Paris, he visited the [[Renault]] factory to observe French tanks being manufactured. Patton was promoted to [[Major (United States)|major]] on 26 January 1918.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=49}} He received the first ten tanks on 23 March 1918, at the tank school at [[Bourg, Haute-Marne|Bourg]], a small village close to [[Langres]], Haute-Marne département. The only US soldier with tank-driving experience, Patton personally backed seven of the tanks off the train.{{sfn|Blumenson|1972|pp=552–553}} In the post, Patton trained tank crews to operate in support of infantry, and promoted its acceptance among reluctant infantry officers.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=50–52}} He was promoted to [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] on 3 April 1918, and attended the [[United States Army Command and General Staff College|Command and General Staff College]] in Langres.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=53}}

[[File:111-SC-17592 - NARA - 55195274 (cropped) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Patton at [[Bourg, Haute-Marne|Bourg]] in France in 1918 with a [[Renault FT]] light tank]]

In August 1918, he was placed in charge of the U.S. 1st Provisional Tank Brigade (redesignated the [[Tank Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces|304th Tank Brigade]] on 6 November 1918). Patton's Light Tank Brigade was part of Colonel [[Samuel Rockenbach]]'s Tank Corps, part of the [[First United States Army|American First Army]].{{sfn|Blumenson|1972|pp=661–670}} Personally overseeing the [[Military logistics|logistics]] of the tanks in their first combat use by U.S. forces, and reconnoitering the target area for their first attack himself, Patton ordered that no U.S. tank be surrendered.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=53}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=38}} Patton commanded American-crewed Renault FT tanks at the [[Battle of Saint-Mihiel]],{{sfn|Blumenson|1972|pp=706–708}} leading the tanks from the front for much of their attack, which began on 12 September. He walked in front of the tanks into the German-held village of [[Essey-et-Maizerais|Essey]], and rode on top of a tank during the attack into [[Pannes, Meurthe-et-Moselle|Pannes]], seeking to inspire his men.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=54–55}}

While outside the village of Essey he had his first chance meeting with Brigadier General [[Douglas MacArthur]], then commanding a brigade of the [[42nd Infantry Division (United States)|42nd "Rainbow" Division]], who, at just thirty-eight, was already one of the most highly decorated officers in the AEF, and with whom Patton would serve later in his career.{{sfn|Zabecki|Mastriano|2020|p=286}}

Patton's brigade was then moved to support [[I Corps (United States)|I Corps]] for the upcoming [[Meuse–Argonne offensive]], which began on 26 September.{{sfn|Blumenson|1972|pp=706–708}} He personally led a troop of tanks through thick fog as they advanced {{convert|5|mi|sigfig=1}} into German lines. Around 09:00, Patton was wounded while leading six men and a tank in an attack on German [[machine gun]]s near the town of [[Cheppy]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=56–57}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=40}} His orderly, [[Private first class|Private First Class]] [[Joe Angelo]], saved Patton, for which he was later awarded the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]] (DSC).{{sfn|Blumenson|1972|pp=764–766}} Patton commanded the battle from a shell hole for another hour before being evacuated. Although the [[35th Infantry Division (United States)|35th Division]] (of which Patton's tank troop was a component) eventually captured [[Varennes-en-Argonne|Varennes]], it did so with heavy losses.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Last Battle: Endgame on the Western Front, 1918|url=https://archive.org/details/lastbattleendgam0000hart|url-access=limited|last=Hart|first=Peter|publisher=Profile Books|year=2018|isbn=978-1781254820|location=London|pages=[https://archive.org/details/lastbattleendgam0000hart/page/67 67]}}</ref> Trying to move his reserve tanks forward, Patton relates that he might have killed one of his own men, stating: "Some of my reserve [[Renault FT|tanks]] were stuck by some trenches. So I went back and made some Americans hiding in the trenches dig a passage. I think I killed one man here. He would not work so I hit him over the head with a shovel."<ref>{{Cite book|title=Doughboy War: The American Expeditionary Force in WWI|last=Hallas|first=James H.|publisher=Stackpole Books|year=2009|location=Mechanicsburg|pages=245–246}}</ref>

[[File:111-SC-17578 - NARA - 55195246 (cropped) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Tank Corps School near Langres, France, 15 July 1918. Tank crew receiving instruction from officers, from left to right: Captain [[Ranulf Compton]], Chief Instructor, and Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton (center, with back towards the camera), the Commanding Officer]]

Patton stopped at a rear command post to submit his report before heading to a hospital. [[Sereno E. Brett]], commander of the U.S. 326th Tank Battalion, took command of the brigade in Patton's absence. Patton wrote in a letter to his wife: "The bullet went into the front of my left leg and came out just at the crack of my bottom about two inches to the left of my rectum. It was fired at about {{cvt|50|m|disp=sqbr}} so made a hole about the size of a [silver] dollar where it came out."{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=616}}

While recuperating from his wound, Patton was promoted to temporary colonel in the Tank Corps of the U.S. [[History of the United States Army#World War I|National Army]] on 17 October. He returned to duty on 28 October but saw no further action before hostilities ended on his 33rd birthday with the [[armistice of 11 November 1918]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=58–59}} For his actions in Cheppy, Patton received the [[Silver Star]], later upgraded to the DSC. The citation for the medal read:

{{Blockquote|The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Armor) George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Tank Corps, A.E.F., near Cheppy, France, 26 September 1918. Colonel Patton displayed conspicuous courage, coolness, energy, and intelligence in directing the advance of his brigade down the valley of the Aire. Later he rallied a force of disorganized infantry and led it forward, behind the tanks, under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire until he was wounded. Unable to advance further, Colonel Patton continued to direct the operations of his unit until all arrangements for turning over the command were completed.<ref name="Valor">{{cite web|title=George Smith Patton|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/15688|publisher=Military Times}}</ref>}}

For his leadership of the tank brigade and tank school, he was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]], the citation for which reads:

{{Blockquote|The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Tank Corps) George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. By his energy and sound judgment, Colonel Patton rendered very valuable services in his organization and direction of the Tank Center at the Army schools at Langres, France. In the employment of Tank Corps troops in combat he displayed high military attainments, zeal, and marked adaptability in a form of warfare comparatively new to the American Army.<ref name="Valor"/>}}

In addition, he was also awarded the [[Purple Heart]] for his combat wounds after the decoration was created in 1932.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=62}}

{{Blockquote|On 11 November 1918, World War I ended. In the months and years that followed Patton was haunted by his experience in the Meuse–Argonne. Although he emerged from the war with honours and acclaim, the year 1918 took its toll and the price was indeed high. Contrary to his image as a tough guy, Patton was deeply affected by the horror of war and suffered from post-traumatic stress. What had been a high on the battlefield turned into the giant letdown that is so common to soldiers who have been in combat.{{sfn|Zabecki|Mastriano|2020|pp=287–288}}}}

== Inter-war years ==
[[File:George S. Patton 1919.jpg|thumb|Patton as a temporary colonel at [[Camp Meade, Maryland]], 1919]]
Patton left France for [[New York City]] on 2 March 1919. After the war, he was assigned to [[Camp Meade, Maryland]], and reverted to his permanent rank of captain on 30 June 1920, though he was promoted to major again the next day. Patton was given temporary duty in Washington D.C. that year to serve on a committee writing a manual on tank operations. During this time he developed a belief that tanks should be used not as infantry support, but rather as an independent fighting force. Patton supported the [[Christie Model 1919|M1919]] design created by [[J. Walter Christie]], a project which was shelved due to financial considerations.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=63–64}} While on duty in Washington, D.C., in 1919, Patton met [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]],{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=46}} who would play an enormous role in Patton's future career. During and following Patton's assignment in Hawaii, he and Eisenhower corresponded frequently. Patton sent notes and assistance to help Eisenhower graduate from the General Staff College.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=65–66}} With Christie, Eisenhower, and a handful of other officers, Patton pushed for more development of armored warfare in the interwar era. These thoughts resonated with Secretary of War [[Dwight F. Davis|Dwight Davis]], but the limited military budget and prevalence of already-established Infantry and Cavalry branches meant the U.S. would not develop its armored corps much until 1940.{{sfn|Steele|2005|p=18}}

On 30 September 1920, then-Major Patton relinquished command of the 304th Tank Brigade and was reassigned to Fort Myer as commander of [[3rd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=65–66}} Loathing duty as a peacetime [[staff officer]], he spent much time writing technical papers and giving speeches on his combat experiences at the General Staff College.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=63–64}}

In July 1921 Patton became a member of the [[American Legion]] Tank Corps Post No. 19.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1921-07-17/ed-1/seq-20/#date1=1916&index=1&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=George+Patton+Smith&proxdistance=5&date2=1922&ortext=&proxtext=George+Smith+Patton&phrasetext=&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1|title=Veterans of Great War|newspaper=[[The Washington Star|The Evening Star]]|date=17 July 1921|page=20|via=Chronicling America|access-date=28 October 2016|archive-date=18 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118080212/http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1921-07-17/ed-1/seq-20/#date1=1916&index=1&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=George+Patton+Smith&proxdistance=5&date2=1922&ortext=&proxtext=George+Smith+Patton&phrasetext=&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Maj. Patton led the rescue effort after [[Knickerbocker storm|the January 1922 blizzard]] destroyed the [[Knickerbocker Theatre (Washington, D.C.)|Knickerbocker Theatre]] in D.C.<ref name="Ambrose2022">{{cite news | last=Ambrose | first=Kevin | title=How the Knickerbocker snowstorm became D.C.'s deadliest disaster 100 years ago | newspaper=Washington Post | date=27 January 2022 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/01/27/knickerbocker-theater-dc-snowstorm-record/ | access-date=3 March 2022 | archive-date=28 January 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128160815/https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/01/27/knickerbocker-theater-dc-snowstorm-record/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gormly2022">{{cite web | last=Gormly | first=Kellie B. | title=When a Winter Storm Triggered One of the Deadliest Disasters in D.C. History | website=Smithsonian Magazine | date=26 January 2022 | url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-a-winter-storm-triggered-one-of-the-deadliest-disasters-in-washington-dc-history-180979446/ | access-date=3 March 2022 | archive-date=3 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303031838/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-a-winter-storm-triggered-one-of-the-deadliest-disasters-in-washington-dc-history-180979446/ | url-status=live }}</ref> From 1922 to mid-1923 he attended the Field Officer's Course at the [[United States Army Cavalry School|Cavalry School]] at Fort Riley, then he attended the [[United States Army Command and General Staff College|Command and General Staff College]] from mid-1923 to mid-1924,{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=65–66}} graduating 25th out of 248.{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=57}} In August 1923, Patton saved several children from drowning when they fell off a yacht during a boating trip off [[Salem, Massachusetts]]. He was awarded the Silver [[Lifesaving Medal]] for this action.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=335}} He was temporarily appointed to the General Staff Corps in [[Boston, Massachusetts]], before being reassigned as [[Staff (military)#Continental Staff System|G-1 and G-2]] of the [[Hawaiian Division]] at [[Schofield Barracks]] in [[Honolulu]] in March 1925.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=65–66}}

Patton was made [[Staff (military)#Continental Staff System|G-3]] of the Hawaiian Division for several months, before being transferred in May 1927 to the Office of the Chief of Cavalry in Washington, D.C., where he began to develop the concepts of [[mechanized warfare]]. A short-lived experiment to merge infantry, cavalry and artillery into a [[combined arms]] force was cancelled after [[Congress of the United States|U.S. Congress]] removed funding. Patton left this office in 1931, returned to Massachusetts and attended the [[United States Army War College|Army War College]], becoming a "Distinguished Graduate" in June 1932.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=67–68}}

In July 1932, Patton (still a Major) was [[Executive officer#Military|executive officer]] of the 3rd Cavalry, which was ordered to Washington by Army Chief of Staff General [[Douglas MacArthur]]. Patton took command of the 600 troops of the 3rd Cavalry, and on 28 July, MacArthur ordered Patton's troops to advance on protesting veterans known as the "[[Bonus Army]]" with [[tear gas]] and [[bayonet]]s. Patton was dissatisfied with MacArthur's conduct, as he recognized the legitimacy of the veterans' complaints and had himself earlier refused to issue the order to employ armed force to disperse the veterans. Patton later stated that, though he found the duty "most distasteful", he also felt that putting the marchers down prevented an insurrection and saved lives and property. He personally led the 3rd Cavalry down [[Pennsylvania Avenue (Washington, D.C.)|Pennsylvania Avenue]], dispersing the protesters.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=69–70}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|pp=58–59}} Patton also encountered his former orderly, [[Joe Angelo]], as one of the marchers and forcibly ordered him away, fearing such a meeting might make the headlines.{{sfn|Allen|Dickson|2006|p=194}}

Patton was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the regular Army on 1 March 1934, and was transferred to the [[Hawaiian Division]] in early 1935 to serve as G-2. During this posting, Patton feuded with his commander, [[Hugh Aloysius Drum]], another Pershing protégé.<ref>Carlo D'Este, [https://books.google.com/books?id=zZd3AAAAMAAJ&q=%22hugh+drum%22 ''Patton: A Genius for War''], 1995, page 360</ref><ref>Alan Axelrod, [https://books.google.com/books?id=DmAfAQAAMAAJ&q=drum&pg=PA256 ''Patton's Drive: The Making of America's Greatest General''], 2009, page 257</ref> At a polo match in which Patton was playing, Drum was among the spectators and rebuked Patton for his use of angry profanity during the game.<ref name= Holt>{{cite web |url=http://www.historynet.com/relax-its-only-a-maneuver.htm |title=Relax—It's Only a Maneuver |last=Holt |first=Thaddeus |date=1 December 1992 |website=HistoryNet |publisher=World History Group |location=Leesburg, VA}}</ref> The civilian players, who were members of Hawaii's wealthy elite on friendly terms with the equally wealthy and elite Patton, humiliated Drum by standing up for Patton.<ref name="Holt"/> Patton followed the growing hostility and conquest aspirations of the militant Japanese leadership. He wrote a plan to intern the Japanese living in the islands in the event of an attack as a result of the atrocities carried out by Japanese soldiers on the Chinese in the [[Second Sino-Japanese War|Sino-Japanese war]]. In 1937 he wrote a paper with the title "Surprise" which predicted, with what D'Este termed "chilling accuracy", a surprise attack by the Japanese on Hawaii.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=361}} Depressed at the lack of prospects for new conflict, Patton took to drinking heavily and allegedly began a brief affair with his 21-year-old niece by marriage, [[Jean Gordon (Red Cross Donut Girl)|Jean Gordon]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=71–72}} This supposed affair distressed his wife and nearly resulted in their separation. Patton's attempts to win her back were said to be among the few instances in which he willingly showed remorse or submission.{{sfn|Brighton|2009|pp=379–380}}

Patton continued playing polo and sailing in this time. After sailing back to Los Angeles for extended leave in 1937, he was kicked by a horse and fractured his leg. Patton developed [[phlebitis]] from the injury, which nearly killed him. The incident almost forced Patton out of active service, but a six-month administrative assignment in the Academic Department at the Cavalry School at Fort Riley helped him to recover.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=71–72}} Patton was promoted to colonel on 24 July 1938, and given command of the [[5th Cavalry Regiment|5th Cavalry]] at [[Fort Clark, Texas]], for six months, a post he relished, but he was reassigned to Fort Myer again in December as commander of the 3rd Cavalry. There, he met the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff, [[George C. Marshall]], who was so impressed with him that Marshall considered Patton a prime candidate for promotion to general. In peacetime, though, he would remain a colonel to remain eligible to command a [[regiment]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=73–74}} When [[Malin Craig]] retired as [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]] in 1939, Drum was a candidate to succeed him.<ref name=Holt/><ref name="Frye">{{cite book |last=Frye |first=William |date=2005 |title=Marshall: Citizen Soldier |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8y5BDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT341 |location=Whitefish, MT |publisher=Kessinger Publishing, LLC  |pages=341–343 |isbn=978-1-4179-9503-5}}</ref> Drum wanted the position badly enough to set aside his feud with Patton and ask Patton to intercede with the retired but still influential Pershing.<ref name="Holt"/><ref name="Frye"/> Despite these efforts, Drum was passed over in favor of Marshall.<ref name="Holt"/><ref name="Frye"/>

Patton had a personal schooner named ''[[When and If]]''. The schooner was designed by famous naval architect [[John G. Alden]] and built in 1939. The schooner's name comes from Patton saying he would sail it "when and if" he returned from war.<ref>{{cite web|title=Storied Schooner Once Owned by General Patton to be Sold|url=https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2010/09/23/storied-schooner-once-owned-general-patton-be-sold|website=The Vineyard Gazette – Martha's Vineyard News|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=10 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110162213/https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2010/09/23/storied-schooner-once-owned-general-patton-be-sold|url-status=live}}</ref>

== World War II ==
[[File:HopewithGroupMeetsPattonWW2.jpg|thumb|right|Writer [[Hal Block]] (far left), comedian [[Bob Hope]] (second from left), writer/actor Barney Dean, singer [[Frances Langford]] and musician [[Tony Romano (musician)|Tony Romano]] meet George Patton in Sicily during World War II]]
Following the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]]'s [[invasion of Poland]] and the outbreak of [[World War II]] in Europe in September 1939, the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] entered a period of [[mobilization]], and Colonel Patton sought to build up the power of U.S. armored forces. During maneuvers the [[United States Army Central|Third Army]] conducted in 1940, Patton served as an umpire, where he met [[Adna R. Chaffee Jr.]] and the two formulated recommendations to develop an armored force. Chaffee was named commander of this force,{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=75–76}} and created the [[1st Armored Division (United States)|1st]] and [[2nd Armored Division (United States)|2nd Armored Divisions]] as well as the first combined arms doctrine. He named Patton commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade, part of the 2nd Armored Division. The division was one of few organized as a heavy formation with many tanks, and Patton was in charge of its training.{{sfn|Brighton|2009|pp=82–83}}

Patton was promoted to [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] on 2 October, made acting division commander in November when [[Charles L. Scott (U.S. Army general)|Charles L. Scott]] assumed command of I Armored Corps, and on 4 April 1941, was promoted again to [[Major general (United States)|major general]] as [[Commanding officer|Commanding General]] (CG) of the 2nd Armored Division.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=75–76}} As Chaffee stepped down from command of the [[I Armored Corps (United States)|I Armored Corps]], Patton became the most prominent figure in U.S. armor doctrine. In December 1940, he staged a high-profile mass exercise in which 1,000 tanks and vehicles were driven from [[Columbus, Georgia]], to [[Panama City, Florida]], and back.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=77–79}} He repeated the exercise with his entire division of 1,300 vehicles the next month.{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=85}} Patton earned a [[pilot's license]] and, during these maneuvers, observed the movements of his vehicles from the air to find ways to deploy them effectively in combat.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=77–79}} His exploits earned him a spot on the cover of ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine.{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=106}}

[[File:George S. Patton 44.jpg|thumb|left|Major General George S. Patton sitting on a fence and smoking a pipe while observing 1941 maneuvers in Louisiana.]]

General Patton led the division during the [[Tennessee Maneuver Area|Tennessee Maneuvers]] in June 1941, and was lauded for his leadership, executing 48 hours' worth of planned objectives in only nine. During the September [[Louisiana Maneuvers]], his division was part of the losing Red Army in Phase I, but in Phase II was assigned to the Blue Army. His division executed a {{convert|400|mi|adj=on}} end run around the Red Army and "captured" [[Shreveport, Louisiana]]. During the October–November [[Carolina Maneuvers]], Patton's division captured the now Lieutenant General Drum, who served as the commander of the opposing army.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=80–82}} The general was greatly embarrassed and became the subject of mockery.<ref>{{cite book |last=Keane |first=Michael |date=2012 |title=Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eHRJ3w9vcw4C&q=%22hugh+drum%22+%22carolina+maneuvers%22&pg=PA111 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Regnery History |page=111 |isbn=978-1-59698-326-7 |ref={{sfnRef|''Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer''}}}}</ref> After soldiers from [[Isaac D. White]]'s battalion detained Drum,<ref>{{cite book |last=Morton |first=Matthew Darlington |date=2009 |title=Men on Iron Ponies: The Death and Rebirth of the Modern U.S. Cavalry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9q4pAQAAIAAJ&q=%22captured+gen+hugh+drum%22 |location=DeKalb, IL |publisher=Northern Illinois University Press |page=83 |isbn=978-0-8758-0397-5 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> the exercise umpires ruled that the circumstances would not have transpired in combat, so he was allowed to return to his headquarters, enabling the exercise to continue and for Drum to [[Face (sociological concept)|save face]].{{sfn|''Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer''|page=111}} Despite the umpires' actions, the incident indicated to senior leaders that Hugh Drum might not be prepared to command large bodies of troops under the modern battlefield conditions the Army would face in World War II, thus, he was not considered for field command.{{sfn|''Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer''|page=111}}{{efn|Drum's capture was the inspiration for a scene in the 1967 film ''[[The Dirty Dozen]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJsC-buIkSE  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/EJsC-buIkSE |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=George S. Patton: American Ajax |last=Hanson |first=Victor Davis |author-link=Victor Davis Hanson |date=11 February 2020 |website=YouTube |publisher=Hillsdale College |location=Hillsdale, MI |access-date=25 August 2020 |at=15:35 |quote=1940 in war games in Louisiana, he captured the senior general Hugh Drum. You may have seen ''The Dirty Dozen'', that old movie about how they played dirty. That was based on Patton's war maneuvers, about how he went on a 400-mile goose chase, they thought, and ended up capturing the red general. He was on the blue team.}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}

On 15 January 1942, a few weeks after the American entry into World War II, he succeeded Scott as commander of I Armored Corps, and the next month established the [[Desert Training Center]]{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=83}} in the [[Coachella Valley]] region of [[Riverside County]] in California, to run training exercises. He commenced these exercises in late 1941 and continued them into the summer of 1942. Patton chose a {{convert|10000|acre|km2|adj=on}} expanse of desert area about {{convert|50|mi}} southeast of [[Palm Springs, California|Palm Springs]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=84–85}} From his first days as a commander, Patton strongly emphasized the need for armored forces to stay in constant contact with opposing forces. His instinctive preference for offensive movement was typified by an answer Patton gave to [[war correspondent]]s in a 1944 press conference. In response to a question on whether the Third Army's [[Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine|rapid offensive across France]] should be slowed to reduce the number of U.S. casualties, Patton replied, "Whenever you slow anything down, you waste human lives."{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=542}} It was around this time that a reporter, after hearing a speech where Patton said that it took "blood and brains" to win in combat, began calling him "blood and guts". The nickname would follow him for the rest of his life.{{sfn|Lovelace|2014|p=110}} Soldiers under his command were known at times to have quipped, "our blood, his guts". Nonetheless, he was known to be admired widely by the men under his charge.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=2}}

=== North African campaign ===
[[File:Major General Patton and Rear Admiral Hewitt on USS Augusta (CA-31), circa in November 1942 (80-G-30116).jpg|thumb|Patton (left) with [[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] [[Henry Kent Hewitt]] aboard {{USS|Augusta|CA-31|6}}, off the coast of [[North Africa]], November 1942]]
{{See also|Operation Torch|Tunisian campaign}}
[[File:Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and the Sultan of Morocco, Sidi Mohammed and guests at a dinner for the Sultan (cropped).jpg|thumb|220x220px|George S. Patton at the [[Casablanca Conference]]]]
Under [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], the [[Supreme Allied Commander]], Patton was assigned to help plan the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] invasion of [[Scramble for Africa#France|French North Africa]] as part of [[Operation Torch]] in the summer of 1942.{{sfn|Brighton|2009|pp=117–119}}{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=88–90}} Patton commanded the Western Task Force, consisting of 33,000 men in 100 ships, in landings centered on [[Casablanca]], Morocco. The landings, which took place on 8 November 1942, were opposed by [[Vichy France|Vichy French]] forces, but Patton's men quickly gained a [[beachhead]] and pushed through fierce resistance. Casablanca fell on 11 November and Patton negotiated an [[armistice]] with French General [[Charles Noguès]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=91–93}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|pp=165–166}} The [[Mohammed V of Morocco|Sultan of Morocco]] was so impressed that he presented Patton with the [[Order of Ouissam Alaouite]], with the citation "''Les Lions dans leurs tanières tremblent en le voyant approcher''" (The lions in their dens tremble at his approach).{{sfn|Edey|1968|p=60}} Patton oversaw the conversion of Casablanca into a military port and hosted the [[Casablanca Conference]] in January 1943.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=94}}

On 6 March 1943, following the defeat of the [[II Corps (United States)|U.S. II Corps]] by the German [[Afrika Korps]], commanded by ''[[Generalfeldmarschall]]'' [[Erwin Rommel]], at the [[Battle of Kasserine Pass]], Patton replaced Major General [[Lloyd Fredendall]] as Commanding General of the II Corps and was promoted to lieutenant general. Soon thereafter, he had Major General [[Omar Bradley]] reassigned to his corps as its deputy commander.{{sfn|Blumenson|1985|p=182}} With orders to take the battered and demoralized formation into action in 10 days' time, Patton immediately introduced sweeping changes, ordering all soldiers to wear clean, pressed and complete uniforms, establishing rigorous schedules, and requiring strict adherence to military protocol. He continuously moved throughout the command talking with men, seeking to shape them into effective soldiers. He pushed them hard, and sought to reward them well for their accomplishments.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=96–97}} His uncompromising leadership style is evidenced by his orders for an attack on a hill position near [[Gafsa]], in which he ended by reportedly saying, "I expect to see such casualties among officers, particularly staff officers, as will convince me that a serious effort has been made to capture this objective."{{sfn|Hunt|1990|p=169}}

[[File:US generals Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Terry Allen and George Patton.jpg|thumb|left|From left to right, Brigadier General [[Theodore Roosevelt Jr.]], Major General [[Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr.|Terry Allen]] and Lieutenant General George S. Patton, March 1943]]

Patton's training was effective, and on 17 March, the [[1st Infantry Division (United States)|U.S. 1st Infantry Division]] took Gafsa participating in the indecisive [[Battle of El Guettar]], and pushing a German and [[Kingdom of Italy|Italian]] armored force back twice. In the meantime, on 5 April, he removed Major General [[Orlando Ward]], commanding the [[1st Armored Division (United States)|1st Armored Division]], after its lackluster performance at Maknassy against numerically inferior German forces. Advancing on [[Gabès]], Patton's corps pressured the [[Mareth Line]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=96–97}} During this time, he reported to British [[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis|Sir Harold Alexander]], commander of the [[18th Army Group]], and came into conflict with [[Air Vice Marshal]] [[Arthur Coningham (RAF officer)|Sir Arthur Coningham]] about the lack of [[close air support]] being provided for his troops.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=98–99}} By the time his force reached Gabès, the Germans had abandoned it. He then relinquished command of II Corps to Bradley, and returned to the I Armored Corps in Casablanca to help plan Operation Husky, the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]]. Fearing U.S. troops would be sidelined, he convinced British commanders to allow them to continue fighting through to the end of the [[Tunisia Campaign]] before leaving on this new assignment.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=98–99}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=188}}

=== Sicily campaign ===
{{See also|Allied invasion of Sicily}}
For Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, Patton was to command the [[Seventh United States Army]], dubbed the Western Task Force, in landings at [[Gela]], [[Scoglitti]] and [[Licata]] to support landings by General [[Bernard Montgomery|Sir Bernard Montgomery]]'s [[Eighth Army (United Kingdom)|British Eighth Army]]. Patton's I Armored Corps was officially redesignated the Seventh Army just before his force of 90,000 landed before dawn on D-Day, 10 July 1943, on beaches near the town of Licata. The armada was hampered by wind and weather, but despite this the three U.S. infantry divisions involved, the [[3rd Infantry Division (United States)|3rd]], [[1st Infantry Division (United States)|1st]], and [[45th Infantry Division (United States)|45th]], secured their respective beaches. They then [[Battle of Gela (1943)|repulsed counterattacks at Gela]],{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=101–104}} where Patton personally led his troops against German reinforcements from the [[Fallschirm-Panzer Division 1 Hermann Göring|Hermann Göring Division]].{{sfn|Brighton|2009|pp=201–202}}

[[File:Lieutenant Colonel Lyle Bernard and Lieutenant General George S. Patton near Brolo, 1943 28-1162M original.jpg|thumb|left|Lieutenant Colonel [[Lyle W. Bernard]], commanding the 2nd Battalion, [[30th Infantry Regiment (United States)|30th Infantry Regiment]], in conversation with Patton, near [[Brolo]], [[Sicily]], July 1943]]

Initially ordered to protect the British forces' left flank, Patton was granted permission by Alexander to take [[Palermo]] after Montgomery's forces became bogged down on the road to Messina. As part of a provisional corps under Major General [[Geoffrey Keyes]], the 3rd Infantry Division under Major General [[Lucian Truscott]] covered {{convert|100|mi}} in 72 hours, arriving at Palermo on 21 July. Patton then set his sights on Messina.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=105–107}} He sought an [[amphibious assault]], but it was delayed by lack of landing craft, and his troops did not land at [[Santo Stefano di Camastra|Santo Stefano]] until 8 August, by which time the Germans and Italians had already evacuated the bulk of their troops to mainland [[Italy]]. He ordered more landings on 10 August by the 3rd Infantry Division, which took heavy casualties but pushed the German forces back, and hastened the advance on Messina.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=108–109}} A third landing was completed on 16 August, and by 22:00 that day Messina fell to his forces. By the end of the battle, the 200,000-man Seventh Army had suffered 7,500 casualties, and killed or captured 113,000 Axis troops and destroyed 3,500 vehicles. Still, 40,000 German and 70,000 Italian troops escaped to Italy with 10,000 vehicles.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=110–111}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=215}}

Patton's conduct in this campaign met with several controversies. He was also frequently in disagreement with [[Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr.]] and [[Theodore Roosevelt Jr.]] though often then conceding, to their relief, in line with Bradley's view.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=466}}

[[File:Gen. Bernard Law Montgomery and Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.,.jpg|thumb|right|General Sir Bernard Montgomery shakes hands with Lieutenant General George S. Patton at an airport at [[Palermo]], Sicily, 28 July 1943. Major General Geoffrey Keyes, deputy commander of Patton's Seventh Army, stands to the far left of the picture.]]

When Alexander sent a transmission on 19 July limiting Patton's attack on Palermo, his [[chief of staff]], Brigadier General [[Hobart R. Gay]], claimed the message was "lost in transmission" until Palermo had fallen.

In an incident on 22 July, while a U.S. armored column was under attack from German aircraft, he shot and killed a pair of mules that had stopped while pulling a cart across a bridge. The cart was blocking the way of the column. When their Sicilian owner protested, Patton attacked him with a walking stick and had his troops push the two mule carcasses off the bridge.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=105–107}}

When informed of the [[Biscari massacre]] of prisoners, which was by troops under his command, Patton wrote in his diary, "I told Bradley that it was probably an exaggeration, but in any case to tell the officer to certify that the dead men were snipers or had attempted to escape or something, as it would make a stink in the press and also would make the civilians mad. Anyhow, they are dead, so nothing can be done about it."{{sfn|Atkinson|2007|p=119}} Bradley refused Patton's suggestions. Patton later changed his mind. After he learned that the 45th Division's Inspector General found "no provocation on the part of the prisoners&nbsp;... They had been slaughtered" Patton is reported to have said: "Try the bastards."{{sfn|Atkinson|2007|p=119}}

Two soldiers were tried for the Biscari massacre, both of whom claimed in their defense that they were acting under orders from Patton not to take prisoners if enemy combatants continued to resist within two hundred yards of their position.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Weingartner |first=James J. |date=1989 |title=Massacre at Biscari: Patton and an American War Crime |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24447601 |journal=The Historian |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=28–29 |doi=10.1111/j.1540-6563.1989.tb00772.x |jstor=24447601 |issn=0018-2370|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Major General [[Everett Hughes (United States Army officer)|Everett Hughes]], an old friend of Patton's, defended him, asserting that Patton had not "at any time advocated the destruction of prisoners of war under any circumstances".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Weingartner |first=James J. |date=1989 |title=Massacre at Biscari: Patton and an American War Crime |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24447601 |journal=The Historian |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=36 |doi=10.1111/j.1540-6563.1989.tb00772.x |jstor=24447601 |issn=0018-2370|url-access=subscription }}</ref> James J. Weingartner argues that Patton's innocence in inciting violence against prisoners of war is uncertain, stating that

{{blockquote|The testimony of multiple witnesses indicated beyond a reasonable doubt that Patton had urged the killing of enemy troops who continued to resist at close quarters, even if they offered to surrender. Patton probably wished his troops to deny quarter or refuse to accept the surrender of enemy combatants who continued to resist at close range, itself a violation of the laws of war (although common practice) by the twentieth century, but it should not be surprising if some Americans concluded that they were authorized to kill resolute enemy soldiers after they had placed themselves under American control.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Weingartner |first=James J. |date=1989 |title=Massacre at Biscari: Patton and an American War Crime |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24447601 |journal=The Historian |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=37 |doi=10.1111/j.1540-6563.1989.tb00772.x |jstor=24447601 |issn=0018-2370|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |isbn=978-0-7432-0263-3|first=Christopher|last=Robbins|title=Test of Courage: The [[Michel Thomas]] Story|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|location=New York|year=2000}}</ref>}}

No official action was taken against Patton for any complicity in the massacre.

=== Slapping incidents and aftermath ===
{{Main|George S. Patton slapping incidents}}
[[File:Wounded-on wayto-hospital-RG-208-AA-158-A-015.jpg|thumb|right|Patton talks to wounded soldiers preparing for evacuation]]
Two high-profile incidents of Patton striking subordinates during the Sicily campaign attracted national controversy following the end of the campaign. On 3 August 1943, Patton slapped and verbally abused [[Private (rank)|Private]] Charles H. Kuhl at an evacuation hospital in [[Nicosia, Sicily|Nicosia]] after he had been found to suffer from "[[Post-traumatic stress disorder|battle fatigue]]".{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=331}} On 10 August, Patton slapped Private Paul G. Bennett under similar circumstances.{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=331}} Ordering both soldiers back to the front lines,{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=118}} Patton railed against cowardice and issued orders to his commanders to discipline any soldier making similar complaints.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=117}}

Word of the incident reached Eisenhower, who privately reprimanded Patton and insisted he apologize.{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=329}} Patton apologized to both soldiers individually, as well as to doctors who witnessed the incidents,{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=336}} and later to all of the soldiers under his command in several speeches.{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=338}} Eisenhower suppressed the incident in the media,{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=535–536}} but in November journalist [[Drew Pearson (journalist)|Drew Pearson]] revealed it on his radio program.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=120}} Criticism of Patton in the United States was harsh, and included members of Congress and former generals, Pershing among them.{{Sfn|Edey|1968|pp=160–166}}{{Sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=379}} The views of the general public remained mixed on the matter,{{Sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=377}} and eventually Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson stated that Patton must be retained as a commander because of the need for his "aggressive, winning leadership in the bitter battles which are to come before final victory."{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=543}}

Patton did not command a force in combat for 11 months.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=122}} In September, Bradley, who was Patton's junior in both rank and experience, was selected to command the First United States Army forming in England to prepare for [[Operation Overlord]].{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=345}} This decision had been made before the slapping incidents were made public, but Patton blamed them for his being denied the command.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=121}} Eisenhower felt the invasion of Europe was too important to risk any uncertainty, and that the slapping incidents had been an example of Patton's inability to exercise discipline and self-control. While Eisenhower and Marshall both considered Patton to be a skilled combat commander, they felt Bradley was less impulsive and less prone to making mistakes.{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=348}} On 26 January 1944, Patton was formally given command of the [[U.S. Third Army]] in England, a newly formed field Army, and he was assigned to prepare its inexperienced soldiers for combat in Europe.{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=407}}{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=124}} This duty kept Patton busy during the first half of 1944.{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=423}}

=== Ghost Army ===
{{See also|Ghost Army}}

[[File:Lt. Gen. Patton with Maj. Gen. Walter Robertson, April 1944.jpg|thumb|left|Major General [[Walter M. Robertson]] (back seat), commanding the [[2nd Infantry Division (United States)|2nd Infantry Division]], with Lieutenant General Patton pass in review of elements of Patton's Third Army in April 1944, prior to the Normandy invasion in June]]

The [[Oberkommando der Wehrmacht|German High Command]] had more respect for Patton than for any other [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] commander and considered him to be central to any plan to invade Europe from England.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=127}} Because of this, Patton was made a prominent figure in the deception scheme [[Operation Fortitude]] during the first half of 1944.{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=409}} Through the British [[Double-Cross System|network of double-agents]], the Allies fed German intelligence a steady stream of false reports about troop sightings and that Patton had been named commander of the [[First United States Army Group]] (FUSAG), all designed to convince the Germans that Patton was preparing this massive command for an invasion at [[Pas de Calais]]. FUSAG was in reality an intricately constructed fictitious army of decoys, props, and fake [[radio signal]] traffic based around [[Dover]] to mislead German [[reconnaissance plane]]s and to make Axis leaders believe that a large force was massing there. This helped to mask the real location of the invasion in [[Normandy]]. Patton was ordered to keep a low profile to deceive the Germans into thinking that he was in Dover throughout early 1944, when he was actually training the Third Army.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=127}} As a result of Operation Fortitude, the [[15th Army (Wehrmacht)|German 15th Army]] remained at the Pas de Calais to defend against Patton's supposed attack.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=128}} So strong was their conviction that this was the main landing area that the German army held its position there even after the [[invasion of Normandy]] on 6 June 1944, believing it to be a diversionary force. Patton flew to France a month later, and then returned to combat command.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=132}}

=== Normandy breakout offensive ===
{{Main|Invasion of Normandy}}
Sailing to Normandy throughout July, Patton's Third Army formed on the extreme right (west) of the Allied land forces,{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=132}}{{efn|Patton's friend [[Gilbert R. Cook]] was his deputy commander, whom Patton later had to relieve due to illness, a decision which "shook him to the core."{{sfn|Essame|1974|p=178}} }} and became operational at noon on 1 August 1944, under Bradley's [[Twelfth United States Army Group]]. The Third Army simultaneously [[Battle for Brest|attacked west into Brittany]], south, east toward the [[Seine]], and north, assisting in trapping several hundred thousand German soldiers in the [[Falaise Pocket]] between [[Falaise, Calvados, France|Falaise]] and [[Argentan]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=135–136}}{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=139–140}}

[[File:General Montgomery with Generals Patton (left) and Bradley (centre) at 21st Army Group HQ, Normandy, 7 July 1944. B6551.jpg|right|thumb|Bradley (center) with Patton (left) and [[Bernard Montgomery|Montgomery]] (right) at Montgomery's [[21st Army Group]] HQ, Normandy, 7 July 1944.]]

Patton's strategy with his army favored speed and aggressive offensive action, though his forces saw less opposition than did the other three Allied field armies in the initial weeks of its advance.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=137}} The Third Army typically employed forward scout units to determine enemy strength and positions. [[Self-propelled artillery]] moved with the [[Military spearhead|spearhead]] units and was sited well forward, ready to engage protected German positions with [[indirect fire]]. Light aircraft such as the [[Piper J-3 Cub|Piper L-4 Cub]] served as artillery spotters and provided airborne reconnaissance. Once located, the armored infantry would attack using tanks as infantry support. Other armored units would then break through enemy lines and exploit any subsequent breach, constantly pressuring withdrawing German forces to prevent them from regrouping and reforming a cohesive defensive line.{{sfn|Jarymowycz|2001|pp=215–216}} The U.S. armor advanced using [[reconnaissance by fire]], and the .50 caliber [[M2 Browning]] heavy machine gun proved effective in this role, often flushing out and killing German [[panzerfaust]] teams waiting in ambush as well as breaking up German infantry assaults against the armored infantry.{{sfn|Jarymowycz|2001|pp=212}}

The speed of the advance forced Patton's units to rely heavily on air reconnaissance and tactical air support.{{sfn|Jarymowycz|2001|pp=215–216}} The Third Army had by far more [[military intelligence]] (G-2) officers at headquarters specifically designated to coordinate air strikes than any other army.{{sfn|Gooderson|1998|p=44}} Its attached close air support group was [[XIX Tactical Air Command]], commanded by Brigadier General [[Otto P. Weyland]]. Developed originally by General [[Elwood Quesada]] of [[IX Tactical Air Command]] for the First Army in [[Operation Cobra]], the technique of "armored column cover", in which close air support was directed by an air traffic controller in one of the attacking tanks, was used extensively by the Third Army. Each column was protected by a standing patrol of three to four [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt|P-47]] and [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51]] fighter-bombers as a [[combat air patrol]] (CAP).{{sfn|Gooderson|1998|p=85}}

In its advance from [[Avranches]] to Argentan, the Third Army traversed {{convert|60|mi}} in just two weeks. Patton's force was supplemented by [[Ultra (cryptography)|Ultra]] intelligence for which he was briefed daily by his G-2, Colonel [[Oscar Koch]], who apprised him of German counterattacks, and where to concentrate his forces.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=138}} Equally important to the advance of Third Army columns in northern France was the rapid advance of the supply echelons. Third Army logistics were overseen by Colonel Walter J. Muller, Patton's [[Military staff#Logistics (4)|G-4]], who emphasized flexibility, improvisation, and adaptation for Third Army supply echelons so forward units could rapidly exploit a breakthrough. Patton's rapid drive to [[Lorraine (region)|Lorraine]] demonstrated his keen appreciation for the technological advantages of the U.S. Army. The major U.S. and Allied advantages were in mobility and air superiority. The U.S. Army had more trucks, more reliable tanks, and better radio communications, all of which contributed to a superior ability to operate at a rapid offensive pace.{{sfn|Jarymowycz|2001|p=217}}

=== Lorraine campaign ===
{{Main|Lorraine campaign}}
[[File:"Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, U.S. Third Army commander, pins the Silver Star on Private Ernest A. Jenkins of New York Cit - NARA - 535724.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Patton pins a [[Silver Star Medal]] on Private Ernest A. Jenkins, a soldier under his command, October 1944]]
Patton's Third Army was sent to Lorraine. Despite its proximity to Germany, Lorraine was not the Allies' preferred invasion route in 1944. Except for its cities of Nancy and Metz the region contained few significant military objectives. Once the Third Army had penetrated Lorraine there would still be no first-rate military objectives on entering Germany. The Saar's industrial region, while significant, was of secondary importance when compared to the great Ruhr industrial complex farther north.<ref>The Lorraine Campaign: An Overview, September–December 1944, page 3, Dr. Christopher R. Gabel,
February 1985, Combat Studies Institute.</ref> Patton's offensive came to a halt on 31 August 1944, as the Third Army ran out of fuel near the [[Moselle River]], just outside [[Metz]]. Patton expected that the theater commander would keep fuel and supplies flowing to support his advance, but Eisenhower favored a "broad front" approach to the ground-war effort, believing that a single thrust would have to drop off flank protection, and would quickly lose its punch.

Patton had planned to reach the River Moselle, leap it in one bound, bypass Metz and head straight for the Rhenish cities of Mainz and Mannheim, deep in the Third Reich. But his units were restricted in fuel by the [[Broad front versus narrow front controversy in World War II|Broad front strategy]], on one occasion receiving just 25,390 gallons of fuel; only one-eighteenth of what Patton had asked for. His units were also running short of ammunition.{{sfn| Trigg |2020 |pp=75,76, 81}} Still within the constraints of a very large effort overall, Eisenhower gave Montgomery and his [[Twenty First Army Group]] a higher priority for supplies for [[Operation Market Garden]],{{sfn|Ambrose|2007|pp=162–164}} although no supplies were diverted from Patton's Third Army. Three British transport companies were lent to American forces on 6 August for eight days not being returned until 4 September.<ref>Chester Wilmot, The Struggle for Europe, page 589</ref> The Third Army exhausted its fuel supplies, however after the Market Garden operation.{{sfn|Zaloga|2008|pp=184–193}} According to Bradley there was parity of supplies between the three allied armies, Second British, First and Third US, by mid September 1944 and according to the official US Army History as cited on page 52 in Hugh Cole's book, The Lorraine Campaign, "by 10th September the period of critical [gasoline] shortage had ended". This was a whole week before Market Garden took place. The gasoline drought was the end of August/beginning of September.<ref>Hugh Cole, The Lorraine Campaign page 52</ref>

The French rail network, which was repaired and quickly put to use, greatly aided the speed of the Third Army's logistical recovery. In eastern France the rail network was relatively undamaged by Allied aircraft and had been abandoned almost intact by the retreating Germans. The Third Army brought its railheads as far forward as Nancy. The French themselves operated the trains providing rolling stock and trained personnel to supplement the Third Army.<ref>The Lorraine Campaign: An Overview, September–December 1944, page 22, Dr. Christopher R. Gabel, February 1985, Combat Studies Institute.</ref><ref>The Liberation Line by Christian Wolmar</ref>

Patton believed his forces were close enough to the [[Siegfried Line]] that he remarked to Bradley that with 400,000&nbsp;gallons of gasoline he could be in Germany within two days.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=141}} In late September, a large German Panzer counterattack sent expressly to stop the advance of Patton's Third Army was defeated by the [[U.S. 4th Armored Division]] at the [[Battle of Arracourt]]. The German commanders believed this was because their counterattack had been successful.{{sfn|von Mellenthin|2006|pp=381–382}}{{why|date=April 2025}}

{{external media| float = right| video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?68490-1/patton-genius-war ''Booknotes'' interview with Carlo D'Este on ''Patton: A Genius for War''], 28 January 1996, [[C-SPAN]]}}

The halt of the Third Army during the month of September was enough to allow the Germans to strengthen the [[fortifications of Metz|fortress of Metz]]. Patton's forces reached the fortress at Metz on 5 September 1944, forcing a German surrender on 21 November 1944, taking over 10 weeks in the [[Battle of Metz]]<ref>An Overview, September–December 1944, page 29, Dr. Christopher R. Gabel, 1985, Combat Studies Institute.</ref> with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Also an [[Battle of Fort Driant|attempt]] by Patton to seize Fort Driant just south of Metz was defeated.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=142}}

[[File:LtGen Omar Bradley, LtGen George Patton, and MGen Manton Eddy.jpg|thumb|From left to right: Major General [[Leven Cooper Allen|Leven C. Allen]], Lieutenant General [[Omar Bradley]], Major General [[John Shirley Wood|John S. Wood]], Lieutenant General George S. Patton and Major General [[Manton S. Eddy]] being shown a map by one of Patton's armored battalion commanders during a tour near Metz, France, November 1944]]

Patton's decisions in taking this city were criticized. German commanders interviewed after the war noted he could have bypassed the city and moved north to Luxembourg where he would have been able to cut off the [[7th Army (Wehrmacht)|German Seventh Army]].{{sfn|Hirshson|2003|p=546}} The German commander of Metz, General [[Hermann Balck]], also noted that a more direct attack would have resulted in a more decisive Allied victory in the city. Historian [[Carlo D'Este]] later wrote that the Lorraine campaign was one of Patton's least successful, faulting him for not deploying his divisions more aggressively and decisively.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=669}} Patton remained frustrated at the lack of progress of his forces. From 8 November to 15 December, his army advanced no more than {{convert|40|mi}}.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=143–144}}

In ''The Lorraine Campaign An Overview, September–December 1944'', on page 36, Dr. Christopher R. Gabel of the Combat Studies Institute stated in February 1985:

<blockquote>Was the Lorraine campaign an American victory? From September through November, Third Army claimed to have inflicted over 180,000 casualties on the enemy. But to capture the province of Lorraine, a problem which involved an advance of only 40 to 60 air miles, Third Army required over 3 months and suffered 50,000 casualties, approximately one-third of the total number of casualties it sustained in the entire European war.</blockquote>

=== Battle of the Bulge ===
{{Main|Battle of the Bulge}}
[[File:General Omar Bradley, General Dwight Eisenhower, and General George Patton, all graduates of West Point, survey war damage in Bastogne, Belgium. 1944-1945.jpg|thumb|upright|left|From left to right, [[Omar Bradley|Bradley]], [[Dwight D. Eisenhower|Eisenhower]] and Patton in Bastogne, Belgium, 1945|alt=]]

In December 1944, the German army, under the command of German Field Marshal [[Gerd von Rundstedt]], launched a last-ditch offensive across [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]], and northeastern France. On 16 December 1944, it massed 29 divisions totaling 250,000 men at a weak point in the Allied lines, and during the early stages of the ensuing [[Battle of the Bulge]], made significant headway towards the [[Meuse River]] during a severe winter. Eisenhower called a meeting of all senior Allied commanders on the Western Front at a headquarters near Verdun on the morning of 19 December to plan strategy and a response to the German assault.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=675–678}}

At the time, Patton's Third Army was engaged in heavy fighting near [[Saarbrücken]]. Guessing the intent of the Allied command meeting, Patton ordered his staff to make three separate operational contingency orders to disengage elements of the Third Army from its present position and begin offensive operations toward several objectives in the area of the bulge occupied by German forces.{{sfn|McNeese|2003|p=77}} At the Supreme Command conference, Eisenhower led the meeting, which was attended by Patton, Bradley, General [[Jacob L. Devers|Jacob Devers]], Major General [[Kenneth Strong]], Deputy Supreme Commander [[Air Chief Marshal]] [[Arthur Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder|Arthur Tedder]], and several staff officers.{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=599}} When Eisenhower asked Patton how long it would take him to disengage six divisions of his Third Army and commence a counterattack north to relieve the [[U.S. 101st Airborne Division]] which had been [[Siege of Bastogne|trapped at Bastogne]], Patton replied, "As soon as you're through with me."{{sfn|McNeese|2003|p=75}} Patton then clarified that he had already worked up an operational order for a counterattack by three full divisions on 21 December, then only 48 hours away.{{sfn|McNeese|2003|p=75}} Eisenhower was incredulous: "Don't be fatuous, George. If you try to go that early you won't have all three divisions ready and you'll go piecemeal." Patton replied that his staff already had a contingency operations order ready to go. Still unconvinced, Eisenhower ordered Patton to attack the morning of 22 December, using at least three divisions.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=148–149}}

Patton left the conference room, phoned his command, and uttered two words: "Play ball." This code phrase initiated a prearranged operational order with Patton's staff, mobilizing three divisions—the 4th Armored Division, the [[80th Infantry Division (United States)|80th Infantry Division]], and the [[26th Infantry Division (United States)|26th Infantry Division]]—from the Third Army and moving them north toward [[Bastogne]].{{sfn|McNeese|2003|p=77}} In all, Patton would reposition six full divisions, [[U.S. III Corps]] and [[U.S. XII Corps]], from their positions on the [[Saar River]] front along a line stretching from Bastogne to [[Diekirch]] and to [[Echternach]], the town in Luxembourg that had been at [[Battle of the Bulge#Planning|the southern end of the initial "Bulge" front line]] on 16 December.{{sfn|McNeese|2003|p=78}} Within a few days, more than 133,000 Third Army vehicles were rerouted into an offensive that covered an average distance of over {{convert|11|mi}} per vehicle, followed by support echelons carrying {{convert|62,000|t}} of supplies.{{sfn|McNeese|2003|p=79}}

[[File:Generals Marshall, McBride, Eddy, and Patton.jpg|thumb|Shown from left to right are: an unidentified driver, General [[George C. Marshall]], Major General [[Horace L. McBride]], Major General [[Manton S. Eddy]], Lieutenant General George S. Patton, and an unidentified aide]]

On 21 December, Patton met with Bradley to review the impending advance, starting the meeting by remarking, "Brad, this time the Kraut's stuck his head in the meat grinder, and I've got hold of the handle."{{sfn|McNeese|2003|p=77}} Patton then argued that his Third Army should attack toward [[Koblenz]], cutting off the bulge at the base and trap the entirety of the German armies involved in the offensive. After briefly considering this, Bradley vetoed it, since he was less concerned about killing large numbers of Germans than he was in arranging for the relief of Bastogne before it was overrun.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=148–149}} Desiring good weather for his advance, which would permit close ground support by [[U.S. Army Air Forces]] tactical aircraft, Patton ordered the Third Army [[military chaplain|chaplain]], Colonel [[James Hugh O'Neill]], to compose a suitable prayer. He responded with:

{{blockquote|Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=535–536}}}}
When the weather cleared soon after, Patton awarded O'Neill a [[Bronze Star Medal]] on the spot.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=535–536}}

On 26 December 1944, the first spearhead units of the Third Army's 4th Armored Division reached Bastogne, opening a corridor for relief and resupply of the besieged forces. Patton's ability to disengage six divisions from front line combat during the middle of winter, then wheel north to relieve Bastogne was one of his most remarkable achievements during the war.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=152–153}} He later wrote that the relief of Bastogne was "the most brilliant operation we have thus far performed, and it is in my opinion the outstanding achievement of the war. This is my biggest battle."{{sfn|McNeese|2003|p=79}}

=== Advance into Germany ===
By February, the Germans were in full retreat. On 23 February 1945, the [[94th Infantry Division (United States)|U.S. 94th Infantry Division]] crossed the [[Saar River]] and established a vital bridgehead at [[Serrig]], through which Patton pushed units into the [[Saarland]]. Patton had insisted upon an immediate crossing of the Saar River against the advice of his officers. Historians such as [[Charles Whiting]] have criticized this strategy as unnecessarily aggressive.{{sfn|Le Tissier|2007|pp=147–155}}

Once again, Patton found other commands given priority on gasoline and supplies.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=156}} To obtain these, Third Army ordnance units passed themselves off as First Army personnel and in one incident they secured thousands of gallons of gasoline from a First Army dump.{{sfn|Rickard|2004|p=85}} Between 29 January and 22 March, the Third Army took [[Trier]], [[Koblenz]], [[Bingen (Rhein) Hauptbahnhof|Bingen]], [[Worms, Germany|Worms]], [[Mainz]], [[Kaiserslautern]], and [[Ludwigshafen]], killing or wounding 99,000 and capturing 140,112 German soldiers, which represented virtually all of the remnants of the [[German 1st Army|German First]] and Seventh Armies. An example of Patton's sarcastic wit was broadcast when he received orders to bypass Trier, as it had been decided that four divisions would be needed to capture it. When the message arrived, Trier had already fallen. Patton rather caustically replied: "Have taken Trier with two divisions. Do you want me to give it back?"{{sfn|Regan|1992|p=53}}

The Third Army began crossing the [[Rhine River]] after constructing a [[pontoon bridge]] on 22 March, two weeks after the First Army [[Battle of Remagen|crossed it at Remagen]], and Patton slipped a division across the river that evening.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=157}} Patton later boasted he had urinated into the river as he crossed.{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=322}}

[[File:Ohrdruf Corpses Eisenhower.jpg|thumb|left|Eisenhower, Bradley and Patton inspect a cremation pyre at the [[Ohrdruf concentration camp]] on 12 April 1945, after liberation]]
On 26 March 1945, Patton sent [[Task Force Baum]], consisting of 314 men, 16 tanks, and assorted other vehicles, {{convert|50|mi}} behind German lines to liberate the [[prisoner of war]] camp [[OFLAG XIII-B]], near [[Hammelburg]]. Patton knew that one of the inmates was his son-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel [[John K. Waters]]. The raid was a failure, and only 35 men made it back; the rest were either killed or captured, and all 57 vehicles were lost. Patton reported this attempt to liberate Oflag XIII-B as the only mistake he made during World War II.{{sfn|Farago|1964|p=790}} When Eisenhower learned of the secret mission, he was furious.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=158–159}} Patton later said he felt the correct decision would have been to send a [[Combat Command]], which is a force about three times larger.{{sfn|Farago|1964|p=790}}

[[File:American World War II senior military officials, 1945.JPEG|thumb|right|Senior American commanders of the European theater of World War II. Seated, from left to right, are [[William Hood Simpson|William H. Simpson]], George S. Patton, [[Carl A. Spaatz]], [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], [[Omar Bradley]], [[Courtney Hodges]], and [[Leonard T. Gerow]];
standing are (from left to right) [[Ralph Francis Stearley|Ralph F. Stearley]], [[Hoyt Vandenberg]], [[Walter Bedell Smith]], [[Otto P. Weyland]], and [[Richard E. Nugent]]]]

By April, resistance against the Third Army was tapering off, and the forces' main efforts turned to managing some 400,000 German prisoners of war.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=158–159}} On 14 April 1945, Patton was promoted to [[General (United States)|general]], a promotion long advocated by Stimson in recognition of Patton's battle accomplishments during 1944.{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=655}} Later that month, Patton, Bradley, and Eisenhower toured the [[Nazi storage sites for art during World War II#Merkers salt mine|Merkers salt mine]] as well as the [[Ohrdruf concentration camp]], and seeing the conditions of the camp firsthand caused Patton great disgust. Third Army was ordered toward [[Bavaria]] and [[Czechoslovakia]], anticipating a [[last stand]] by German forces there. He was reportedly appalled to learn that the [[Red Army]] would take [[Berlin]], feeling that the Soviet Union was a threat to the U.S. Army's advance to [[Plzeň|Pilsen]], but was stopped by Eisenhower from reaching [[Prague|Prague, Czechoslovakia]], before [[Victory in Europe Day|V-E Day]] on 8 May and the end of the war in Europe.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=160–162}}

In its advance from the Rhine to the Elbe, Patton's Third Army, which numbered between 250,000 and 300,000 men at any given time, captured {{convert|32763|sqmi}} of German territory. Its losses were 2,102 killed, 7,954 wounded, and 1,591 missing. German losses in the fighting against the Third Army totaled 20,100 killed, 47,700 wounded, and 653,140 captured.{{sfn|Wallace|1946|pp=194–195}}

Between becoming operational in Normandy on 1 August 1944, and the end of hostilities on 9 May 1945, the Third Army was in continuous combat for 281 days. In that time, it crossed 24 major rivers and captured {{convert|81500|sqmi}} of territory, including more than 12,000 cities and towns. The Third Army claimed to have killed, wounded, or captured 1,811,388 German soldiers, six times its strength in personnel.{{sfn|Wallace|1946|pp=194–195}} Fuller's review of Third Army records differs only in the number of enemies killed and wounded, stating that between 1 August 1944 and 9 May 1945, 47,500 of the enemy were killed, 115,700 wounded, and 1,280,688 captured, for a total of 1,443,888.{{sfn|Fuller|2004|p=254}}

== Postwar ==
[[File:Patton during a welcome home parade in Los Angeles, June 9, 1945.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Patton during a welcome home parade in Los Angeles, 9 June 1945]]
Patton asked for a command in the [[Asiatic-Pacific Theater|Pacific Theater of Operations]], begging Marshall to bring him to that war in any way possible. Marshall said he would be able to do so only if the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Chinese]] secured a major port for his entry, an unlikely scenario.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=160–162}} In mid-May, Patton flew to [[Paris]], then [[London]] for rest. On 7 June, he arrived in [[Bedford, Massachusetts]], for extended leave with his family, and was greeted by thousands of spectators. Patton then drove to [[Hatch Memorial Shell]] and spoke to some 20,000, including a crowd of 400 wounded Third Army veterans. In this speech he aroused some controversy among the [[American Gold Star Mothers|Gold Star Mothers]] when he stated that a man who dies in battle is "frequently a fool",{{sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=721}} adding that the wounded are heroes. Patton spent time in Boston before visiting and speaking in [[Denver]] and visiting [[Los Angeles]], where he spoke to a crowd of 100,000 at the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|Memorial Coliseum]]. On 14 June 1945, Secretary of War [[Henry L. Stimson]] decided that Patton would not be sent to the Pacific but would return to Europe in an occupation army assignment.<ref>Associated Press, "Patton Fails To Get Task in Orient", ''The San Bernardino Daily Sun'', San Bernardino, California, Friday 15 June 1945, Volume 51, page 2.</ref> Patton made a final stop in [[Washington, D.C.]], before returning to Europe in July to serve in the [[Allied-occupied Germany|occupation forces]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=163–164}}

Patton was appointed as military [[governor]] of Bavaria, where he led the Third Army in [[denazification]] efforts.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=163–164}} Patton was particularly upset when learning of the end of the war against Japan, writing in his diary, "Yet another war has come to an end, and with it my usefulness to the world."{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=163–164}} Unhappy with his position and depressed by his belief that he would never fight in another war, Patton's behavior and statements became increasingly erratic. Various explanations beyond his disappointments have been proposed for Patton's behavior at this point. Carlo D'Este wrote that "it seems virtually inevitable&nbsp;... that Patton experienced [[Complications of traumatic brain injury#Emotional and behavioral problems|some type]] of brain damage from too many [[Traumatic brain injury|head injuries]]" from a lifetime of numerous auto- and horse-related accidents, especially one suffered while playing [[polo]] in 1936.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=535–536}}

Patton's niece [[Jean Gordon (Red Cross)|Jean Gordon]] spent some time together with him in London in 1944, and in Bavaria in 1945. Patton repeatedly boasted of his sexual success with Gordon, and his wife and family plainly believed that the two were lovers. Some of his biographers are skeptical. Hirshson said that the relationship was casual.{{sfn|Hirshson|2003|p=535}} Showalter believes that Patton, under severe physical and psychological stress, made up claims of sexual conquest to prove his virility.{{sfn|Showalter|2006|pp=412–13}} D'Este agrees that Patton's "behavior suggests that in both 1936 [in Hawaii] and 1944–45, the presence of the young and attractive Jean was a means of assuaging the anxieties of a middle-aged man troubled over his virility and a fear of aging."{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=743}} Whether or not Gordon was sexually involved with Patton, she also loved a young married captain, who returned to his wife in September 1945, leaving Gordon despondent.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=744}}

=== Denazification controversy and antisemitism ===
Patton attracted controversy as military governor when it was noted that several former [[Nazi Party]] members continued to hold political posts in the region.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=163–164}} Privately, Patton expressed a soldier's respect for the Germans as adversaries and a resistance to removing Nazi Party members from power. "I had never heard," he wrote to his wife Bea, "that we fought to de-Nazify Germany—live and learn. What we are doing is to utterly destroy the only semi-modern state in Europe so that Russia can swallow the whole&nbsp;... Actually the Germans are the only decent people in Europe."<ref>Martin Blumenson, ''Patton: The Man Behind The Legend, 1885-1945'', 1985, William Morrison, New York, p. 281</ref>

Patton, in his new role, oversaw the [[Displaced persons camps in post-World War II Europe|displaced persons camps]] in Bavaria, which contained a majority of Jews who had survived Germany's [[Nazi concentration camps|concentration camps]] in [[the Holocaust]]. He refused to have Jewish [[chaplain]]s at his headquarters.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dinnerstein |first=Leonard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mJLHrb-o5E0C |title=Antisemitism in America |date=2 November 1995 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-531354-3 |pages=139 |language=en}}</ref> Patton decided to keep the Jews detained, according to his diary, because he thought releasing them could lead to violence and re-arrests.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Richard |date=29 September 2014 |title=What Bill O'Reilly ignored about George Patton |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/richard-cohen-bill-oreilly-ignored-george-pattons-anti-semitism/2014/09/29/afe3e3ea-4806-11e4-b72e-d60a9229cc10_story.html}}</ref> He also resisted Eisenhower's orders to evict Germans from their homes in order to house Jews.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hayes |first1=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GHEWEAAAQBAJ |title=The Oxford Handbook of Holocaust Studies |last2=Roth |first2=John K. |date=2012 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-165078-9 |pages=515 |language=en}}</ref> After Patton accompanied Eisenhower to a [[Yom Kippur]] service in one of the camps, he referred to the Jews at the service as a "stinking mass of humanity", and complaining about their hygiene, said: "This happened to be the feast of Yom Kippur, so they were all collected in a large, wooden building, which they called a synagogue. It behooved General Eisenhower to make a speech to them. We entered the synagogue, which was packed with the greatest stinking bunch of humanity I have ever seen. When we got about halfway up, the head rabbi, who was dressed in a fur hat similar to that worn by Henry VIII of England and in a surplice heavily embroidered and very filthy, came down and met the General&nbsp;... The smell was so terrible that I almost fainted and actually about three hours later lost my lunch as the result of remembering it&nbsp;... Of course, I have seen them since the beginning and marveled that beings alleged to be made in the form of God can look the way they do or act the way they act."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lichtblau|first=Eric|date=7 February 2015|title=Surviving the Nazis, Only to Be Jailed by America |url-access=subscription |language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/sunday-review/surviving-the-nazis-only-to-be-jailed-by-america.html|access-date=13 October 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108121230/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/sunday-review/surviving-the-nazis-only-to-be-jailed-by-america.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Patton also claimed that "There is a very Semitic influence in the press." "The noise against me is only the means by which the Jews and the Communists are attempting and with good success the further dismemberment of Germany." Biographer [[Martin Blumenson]], who was Third Army Historian and also edited Patton's papers, sums up this period tersely: "Clearly, he had become delusional."<ref>Blumenthal, ''Patton'',  pp. 281-287</ref>

Patton continued to make numerous antisemitic comments. He remarked that displaced Jews were "locusts", "lower than animals", and "lost to all decency". In one diary entry, he wrote that Jews were "a subhuman species without any of the cultural or social refinements of our times."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Arthur |date=26 December 2016 |title=The Problem With Trump's Admiration of General Patton |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/12/trump-general-patton-admiration-214545/ |website=POLITICO}}</ref>

=== Relieved of command ===
Patton faced questions from the press about his reluctance to [[denazification|denazify]] post-war Germany, but he noted that most of the people with experience in infrastructure management had been compelled to join the party in the war. He compared Nazis to [[Democratic Party of the United States|Democrats]] and [[Republican Party of the United States|Republicans]], bringing negative press stateside and angering Eisenhower.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=165–166}}<ref name="ziemke1975">{{Cite book |last=Ziemke |first=Earl F. |url=http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/Occ-GY/index.htm |title=The US Army in the Occupation of Germany, 1944-1946 |publisher=Center of Military History, United States Army |year=1975 |location=Washington DC |pages=383–385 |lccn=75-619027 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213200328/http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/Occ-GY/index.htm |archive-date=13 December 2007}}</ref> Eisenhower ordered him to hold a press conference correcting his statements, but Patton instead repeated them.{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=16}}

On 28 September 1945, after a heated exchange with Eisenhower over the denazification controversy, Patton was relieved of his military governorship. He was relieved of command of the Third Army on 7 October, and he concluded his farewell remarks by saying, "All good things must come to an end. The best thing that has ever happened to me thus far is the honor and privilege of having commanded the Third Army."{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=165–166}} According to [[Anthony Cave Brown]] in ''[[Bodyguard of Lies]]'', "Patton was relieved of command of the 3rd Army by Eisenhower just after the end of the war for stating publicly that America had been fighting the wrong enemy—Germany instead of Russia."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Anthony Cave |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2RFmAPmDgW0C |title=Bodyguard of Lies |date=1975 |publisher=[[Harper (publisher)|Harper and Row]] |volume=2 |pages=898 |language=en}}</ref>

Patton's final assignment was to command the [[U.S. 15th Army]] based in [[Bad Nauheim]]. The 15th Army at this point consisted only of a small headquarters staff working to compile a history of the war in Europe. Patton had accepted the post because of his love of history, but he quickly lost interest. He began traveling, visiting Paris, [[Rennes]], [[Chartres]], [[Brussels]], [[Metz]], [[Reims]], [[Luxembourg]], and [[Verdun]]. Then he went to [[Stockholm]], where he reunited with other athletes from the 1912 Olympics.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=165–166}} Patton decided that he would leave his post at the 15th Army and not return to Europe once he left for [[Christmas]] leave on 10 December. He intended to discuss with his wife whether he would continue in a stateside post or retire from the Army.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=167}}

Eisenhower returned to the United States to become the Chief of Staff of the US Army, and Patton was appointed interim commander of [[United States Army Europe and Africa|US Army Europe]] on 11 November 1945. He served in the position until relieved by General [[Joseph T. McNarney]] on 26 November.

=== Accident and death ===
[[File:Willie HD-SN-99-02413.JPEG|thumb|Patton's dog, [[Willie (dog)|Willie]]]]
Patton's chief of staff Major General [[Hobart R. Gay|Hobart Gay]] invited him on a pheasant hunting trip on 9 December 1945 near [[Speyer|Speyer, Germany]] to lift his spirits. He noted derelict cars along the side of the road and said, "How awful war is. Think of the waste." Moments later, the 1938 Cadillac limousine driven by PFC Horace Woodring collided with an American army truck driven by T/5 Robert L. Thompson.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=167}}{{sfn|Farago|1964|pp=826–827}}<ref name="NYT1">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/09/us/h-l-woodring-dies-at-77-was-driver-in-patton-crash.html|title=H. L. Woodring Dies at 77; Was Driver in Patton Crash|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=9 November 2003|access-date=26 March 2022|archive-date=26 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326205635/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/09/us/h-l-woodring-dies-at-77-was-driver-in-patton-crash.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2024 |title=Patton's Death |url=https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/general-george-s-patton-jr-death-death/ |access-date=9 January 2025 |website=Warfare History Network |language=en-US}}</ref> Patton's regular driver was Sgt. Francis "Jeep" Sanza, but he had left the Army in November 1945.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whiting |first=Sam |date=3 February 2018 |title=Francis 'Jeep' Sanza, Patton's driver in World War II, dies in Napa at 99 |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Francis-Jeep-Sanza-Patton-s-driver-in-12544667.php |access-date=9 January 2024 |website=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref>

Gay and others were only slightly injured, but Patton hit his head on the glass partition that separated the front and back seats.<ref name="NYT1" /> He began bleeding from a gash to the head and complained that he was paralyzed and having trouble breathing. He was taken to a hospital in [[Heidelberg]] where he was found to have a [[compression fracture]] and dislocation of the cervical third and fourth vertebrae, resulting in a broken neck and [[cervical spinal cord]] injury that rendered him paralyzed from the neck down.{{sfn|Farago|1964|pp=826–827}}

Patton spent most of the next 12 days in [[traction (orthopedics)#Spinal decompression|spinal traction]] to decrease the pressure on his spine. All non-medical visitors were forbidden except his wife Beatrice, who had flown from the U.S. Patton had been told that he had no chance to ever again ride a horse or resume normal life, and he commented, "This is a hell of a way to die." He died in his sleep of [[pulmonary edema]] and [[congestive heart failure]] at about 6:00{{nbsp}}pm on 21 December 1945 at age 60.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=168–169}}
[[File:General Patton's grave 300806.jpg|thumb|Patton's grave in [[Hamm, Luxembourg|Hamm district]]]]
On 24 December, Patton was buried at the [[Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial]] in the [[Hamm, Luxembourg|Hamm district]] of Luxembourg City, alongside some wartime casualties of the Third Army, in accordance with his request to be buried with his men. He was initially buried in the middle of a plot like every other service member, but the large number of visitors to his grave damaged the cemetery grounds, so his remains were moved to their current location at the front of the grave plots.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials|publisher=[[American Battle Monuments Commission]]|title=Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial|access-date=6 January 2013|archive-date=26 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426113027/http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
{{See also|List of places named for George S. Patton}}
According to [[Martin Blumenson]]:

{{blockquote|Patton epitomized the fighting soldier in World War II. He exercised unique leadership by his ability to obtain the utmost—some would say more than the maximum—response from American combat troops. Through his charisma, exemplified by a flamboyant and well-publicized image, he stimulated&nbsp;... American troops to an aggressive desire to close with and destroy the enemy. He personified the offensive spirit, the ruthless drive, and the will for victory in battle&nbsp;... As the outstanding exponent of combat effectiveness, particularly with respect to the employment of armored forces—that is, the combined use of tanks, motorized infantry, and self-propelled artillery, closely supported by tactical aircraft—Patton brought the blitzkrieg concept to perfection.<ref>Martin Blumenson, "Patton, George Smith" in John Garraty, ed. (1974). ''Encyclopedia of American Biography''. p. 839.</ref>}}

[[File:General Patton 3c 1953 issue U.S. stamp.jpg|thumb|right|General Patton U.S. commemorative stamp, issued in 1953]]

Patton's colorful personality, hard-driving leadership style, and success as a commander produced a mixed and often contradictory image when coupled with his frequent political mis-steps. His great oratory skill is seen as integral to his ability to inspire troops under his command.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=ix}} Historian [[Terry Brighton]] concluded that Patton was "arrogant, publicity-seeking and personally flawed, but&nbsp;... among the greatest generals of the war".{{Sfn|Brighton|2009|p=xv}} His impact was substantial on armored warfare and leadership, with the [[U.S. Army]] adopting many of his aggressive strategies for its training programs following his death. Many military officers claim inspiration from his legacy. The first American tank designed after the war became the [[M46 Patton]].{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=viii}}

Several actors have portrayed Patton on screen, most famously  [[George C. Scott]] in the 1970 film ''[[Patton (film)|Patton]]'', for which he won (and refused) the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]]. He reprised the role in 1986 in the made-for-television film ''[[The Last Days of Patton]]'' which tells the story of his last few months.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B000HAB4N0/ The Last Days of Patton]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930050222/https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B000HAB4N0/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r |date=30 September 2022 }}. Amazon Prime Video, retrieved 30 September 2021.</ref>

Other actors who have portrayed Patton include:
* [[Stephen McNally]] in the 1957 episode "The Patton Prayer" of the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] religion anthology series ''[[Crossroads (1955 TV series)|Crossroads]]''
* [[John Larch]] in the 1963 film ''[[Miracle of the White Stallions]]''
* [[Kirk Douglas]] in the 1966 film ''[[Is Paris Burning? (film)|Is Paris Burning?]]''
* [[George Kennedy]] in the 1978 film ''[[Brass Target]]''
* [[Darren McGavin]] in the 1979 miniseries [[Ike (TV miniseries)|''Ike'']]
* Robert Prentiss in the 1988 film ''[[Pancho Barnes (1988 film)|Pancho Barnes]]''
* [[Mitchell Ryan]] in the 1989 film ''[[Double Exposure: The Story of Margaret Bourke-White]]''
* [[Lawrence Dobkin]] in a 1989 episode of the miniseries ''[[War and Remembrance (TV miniseries)|War and Remembrance]]''
* [[Edward Asner]] in the 1997 film ''[[The Long Way Home (1997 film)|The Long Way Home]]''
* [[Gerald McRaney]] in the 2004 miniseries ''[[Ike: Countdown to D-Day]]''
* [[Dan Higgins]] in a 2006 episode of the miniseries ''[[Man, Moment, Machine]]''
* [[Kelsey Grammer]] in the 2008 film ''[[An American Carol]]''<ref name="imdb">{{citation |url=https://www.imdb.com/character/ch0028822/ |title=George S. Patton |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=6 January 2013 |archive-date=12 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212061004/http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0028822/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Ed Harris]] in ''[[Resistance (2020 film)|Resistance]]'' (2020).

=== Image ===
{{See also|George S. Patton's speech to the Third Army}}
[[File:Patton's Command Car.jpg|thumb|A replica of Patton's World War II command vehicle on display at the [[Lone Star Flight Museum]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]]]]

Patton cultivated a flashy, distinctive image in the belief that it would inspire his troops. He carried an ivory-gripped, engraved, silver-plated [[Colt Single Action Army]] .45 caliber revolver on his right hip, and frequently wore an ivory-gripped [[Smith & Wesson Model 27]] .357 Magnum on his left hip.{{Sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=9}}{{Sfn|Brighton|2009|p=xvi}} He was usually seen wearing a highly polished helmet, riding pants, and high cavalry boots.{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=478}} Patton also cultivated a stern expression he called his "war face".{{Sfn|Lovelace|2014|p=110}} He was known to oversee training maneuvers from atop a tank painted red, white, and blue. His [[jeep]] bore oversized rank placards on the front and back, as well as a klaxon horn which would loudly announce his approach from afar. He proposed a new uniform for the emerging Tank Corps featuring polished buttons, a gold helmet, and thick, dark padded suits; the proposal was derided in the media as "the Green Hornet", and it was rejected by the Army.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=77–79}}

Historian [[Alan Axelrod]] wrote that "for Patton, leadership was never simply about making plans and giving orders, it was about transforming oneself into a symbol".{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=80–82}} Patton intentionally expressed a conspicuous desire for glory, atypical of the officer corps of the day which emphasized blending in with troops on the battlefield. He was an admirer of Admiral [[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Horatio Nelson]] for his actions in leading the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] in a full-dress uniform.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=80–82}} Patton had a preoccupation with bravery,{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=14–15}} wearing his rank insignia conspicuously in combat, and at one point during World War II he rode atop a tank into a German-controlled village seeking to inspire courage in his men.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=54–55}}

Patton was a staunch [[fatalist]],{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=4}} and he believed in [[reincarnation]]. He believed that he might have been a military leader killed in action in Napoleon's army or a [[Roman legionary]] in a previous life.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=11–12}}{{Sfn|Brighton|2009|pp=36–37}}

Patton developed an ability to deliver charismatic speeches.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=67–68}} He used profanity heavily in his speech, which generally was enjoyed by troops under his command, but it offended other generals, including Bradley.{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=578}} The most famous of his speeches were a series that he delivered to the Third Army prior to Operation Overlord.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=130–131}} He was known for his bluntness and witticism; he once said, "The two most dangerous weapons the Germans have are our own armored [[halftrack]] and jeep. The halftrack because the boys in it go all heroic, thinking they are in a tank. The jeep because we have so many God-awful drivers."{{Sfn|Evans|2001|pp=151–168}} During the Battle of the Bulge, he famously remarked that the Allies should "let the sons-of-bitches [Germans] go all the way to Paris, then we'll cut them off and round them up."{{Sfn|Evans|2001|pp=151–168}} He also suggested facetiously that his Third Army could "drive the British back into the sea for another [[Battle of Dunkirk|Dunkirk]]."{{Sfn|Evans|2001|pp=151–168}}

As media scrutiny increased on Patton, his bluntness stirred controversy. These began in North Africa when some reporters worried that he was becoming too close to former Vichy officials with Axis sympathies.{{Sfn|Lovelace|2014|p=111}} His public image was more seriously damaged after the slapping incidents.{{Sfn|Lovelace|2014|p=113}} Another controversy occurred prior to Operation Overlord when Patton spoke at a British welcoming club at [[Knutsford]] in England: "Since it is the evident destiny of the British and Americans, and of course, the Russians, to rule the world, the better we know each other, the better job we will do." The next day, news accounts misquoted him by leaving off the Russians.{{Sfn|Lovelace|2014|p= 114}}

On a visit home after the war, he again made headlines when he attempted to honor several wounded veterans in a speech by calling them "the real heroes" of the war, unintentionally offending the families of soldiers who had been killed in action.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=163–164}} His final media blowup occurred in September 1945 when he said, "Denazification would be like removing all the Republicans and all the Democrats who were in office, who had held office or were quasi-Democrats or Republicans and that would take some time." This caused Eisenhower to relieve him from command of the Third Army.{{Sfn|Lovelace|2014|p=117}}

[[File:Patton's .357 revolver.jpg|thumb|right|Patton's well-known custom ivory-handled revolver]]

As a leader, Patton was known to be highly critical, correcting subordinates mercilessly for the slightest infractions, but also quick to praise their accomplishments.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=77–79}} He garnered a reputation as a general who was both impatient and impulsive and had little tolerance for officers who had failed to succeed. However, he fired only General [[Orlando Ward]], and that after two warnings, whereas Bradley sacked several generals during the war.{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=467–468}} Patton reportedly had the utmost respect for the men serving in his command, particularly the wounded.{{Sfn|Atkinson|2007|p=147}} Many of his directives showed special trouble to care for the enlisted men under his command, and he was well known for arranging extra supplies for battlefield soldiers, including blankets and extra socks, galoshes, and other items normally in short supply at the front.{{Sfn|Wallace|1946|p=97}}

=== Views on race ===
Patton is known to have held racist attitudes typical for those of his upbringing and family roots in the Confederate South.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=4}}{{Sfn|Brighton|2009|p=18}} Privately he wrote of black soldiers:

<blockquote>Individually they were good soldiers, but I expressed my belief at the time, and have never found the necessity of changing it, that a colored soldier cannot think fast enough to fight in armor.{{Sfn|Patton|1947|p=60}}</blockquote>

However publicly, Patton stated that performance was more important than race or religious affiliation:

<blockquote>I don't give a damn who the man is. He can be a Nigger or a Jew, but if he has the stuff and does his duty, he can have anything I've got. By God! I love him.{{Sfn|Hirshson|2003|p=412}}</blockquote>

Addressing the [[761st Tank Battalion (United States)|761st Tank Battalion]] Patton also said:

<blockquote>Men, you are the first Negro tankers ever to fight in the American Army. I would never have asked for you if you weren't good. I have nothing but the best in my army. I don't care what color you are, so long as you go up there and kill those Kraut sonsabitches! Everyone has their eyes on you and is expecting great things from you. Most of all, your race is looking forward to you. Don't let them down and, damn you, don't let me down!{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=726}}</blockquote>

Patton called heavily on the Black troops under his command.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=4}} Historian Hugh Cole noted Patton was the first in the US to integrate black and white soldiers into the same rifle companies.{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p= 726}}

Additionally, the one man Patton spent the most time with during World War II was his aide and personal valet, Sergeant Major William George Meeks. Meeks was an African American career soldier, and considered a personal confidant by General Patton.<ref name="hanson">{{cite magazine |url=https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/footnotes-to-greatness/ |title=Footnotes to Greatness: A review of Patton: A Soldier's Life, by Stanley P. Hirshson |first=Victor Davis |last=Hanson |magazine=Claremont Review of Books |date=Spring 2004 |volume=IV |number=2 |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209234412/https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/footnotes-to-greatness/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Anti-Russian sentiment ====
Patton admired [[Russia]] as a political entity, but was disdainful of [[Russians]] as a people, saying:

<blockquote>The difficulty in understanding the Russian is that we do not take cognizance of the fact that he is not a European, but an Asiatic, and therefore thinks deviously. We can no more understand a Russian than a Chinaman or a Japanese, and from what I have seen of them, I have no particular desire to understand them, except to ascertain how much lead or iron it takes to kill them. In addition to his other Asiatic characteristics, the Russian has no regard for human life and is an all out son of a bitch, barbarian, and chronic drunk.{{Sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=734}}</blockquote>

=== As viewed by Allied leaders ===
[[File:Patton Monument West Point in new location 2009 upright.JPG|thumb|upright|A statue of Patton at the US Military Academy at [[West Point]]]]

On 1 February 1945, Eisenhower wrote a memo ranking the military capabilities of his subordinate American generals in Europe. General Bradley and the [[Army Air Forces]] General [[Carl Spaatz]] shared the number one position, [[Walter Bedell Smith]] was ranked number three, and Patton number four.{{Sfn|D'Este|2002|p=801}} Eisenhower revealed his reasoning in a 1946 review of the book ''Patton and His Third Army'': "George Patton was the most brilliant commander of an Army in the open field that our or any other service produced. But his army was part of a whole organization and his operations part of a great campaign."{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=818}} Eisenhower believed that other generals should be given the credit for planning the successful Allied campaigns across Europe in which Patton was merely "a brilliant executor".{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=818}}

Eisenhower's overall view of Patton's military value is revealed in his refusal to even consider sending him home after the slapping incidents of 1943, after which he privately remarked, "Patton is indispensable to the war effort—one of the guarantors of our victory."{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=536}} [[Assistant Secretary of War]] [[John J. McCloy]] told Eisenhower: "[[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln]]'s remark after they got after [[Ulysses S. Grant|Grant]] comes to mind when I think of Patton—'I can't spare this man, he fights'."{{Sfn|D'Este|2002|p=442}} After Patton's death, Eisenhower wrote:

<blockquote>He was one of those men born to be a soldier, an ideal combat leader&nbsp;... It is no exaggeration to say that Patton's name struck terror at the hearts of the enemy.{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=818}}</blockquote>

Historian [[Carlo D'Este]] insisted that Bradley disliked Patton both personally and professionally,{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=466–467}}{{sfn|D'Este|2002|pp=403–404}} but Bradley's biographer Jim DeFelice noted that the evidence indicated otherwise.{{sfn|DeFelice|2011|p=402}} President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] appeared to greatly esteem Patton and his abilities, stating "he is our greatest fighting general, and sheer joy".{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=755}} On the other hand, Roosevelt's successor [[Harry S. Truman]] appears to have taken an instant dislike to Patton, at one point comparing both him and [[Douglas MacArthur]] to [[George Armstrong Custer]].{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=755}}

For the most part, British commanders did not hold Patton in high regard. General [[Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke|Alan Brooke]] noted in January 1943:

<blockquote>I had heard of him, but I must confess that his swashbuckling personality exceeded my expectation. I did not form any high opinion of him, nor had I any reason to alter this view at any later date. A dashing, courageous, wild, and unbalanced leader, good for operations requiring thrust and push, but at a loss in any operation requiring skill and judgment.{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=451}}</blockquote>

One exception was Field Marshal [[Bernard Montgomery]] who admired Patton's ability to command troops in the field, if not his strategic judgment.{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=549}} Other Allied commanders were more impressed, the [[Free France|Free French]] in particular. General [[Henri Giraud]] was incredulous when he heard of Patton's dismissal by Eisenhower in late 1945 and invited him to Paris to be decorated by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]] at a state banquet. At the banquet, President de Gaulle gave a speech placing Patton's achievements alongside those of Napoleon.{{Sfn|Blumenson|1974|p=801}} Soviet leader [[Joseph Stalin]] stated that the [[Red Army]] could neither have planned nor executed Patton's rapid armored advance across France.{{Sfn|Hirshson|2003|p=562}}

=== As viewed by Axis leaders ===
[[File:2011-01-6 Baugnez laarzen van George Patton 6-01-2012 14-09-34.JPG|thumb|Patton's boots at a museum in [[Malmedy]]]]

Allied leaders expressed mixed feelings on Patton's capabilities, but the German High Command was noted to have more respect for him than for any other Allied commander after 1943.{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=127}} [[Adolf Hitler]] reportedly called him "that crazy cowboy general".{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=815}} Many German field commanders were generous in their praise of Patton's leadership following the war,{{efn|''[[Oberstleutnant]]'' Horst Freiherr von Wangenheim stated that "General Patton is the most feared general on all fronts. [His] tactics are daring and unpredictable&nbsp;.... He is the most modern general and the best commander of armored and infantry forces."{{Sfn|Blumenson|1974|pp=480–483}} ''General der Panzertruppen'' [[Hasso von Manteuffel]] described him as a "brilliant Panzer army commander."{{Sfn|McNeese|2003|p=78}} }} and many of its highest commanders also held his abilities in high regard. [[Erwin Rommel]] credited Patton with executing "the most astonishing achievement in mobile warfare".{{Sfn|Brighton|2009|p=xvii}} ''Generaloberst'' [[Alfred Jodl]] stated that Patton "was the American [[Heinz Guderian|Guderian]]. He was very bold and preferred large movements. He took big risks and won big successes."{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=815}} ''Generalfeldmarschall'' [[Albert Kesselring]] said:

<blockquote>Patton had developed tank warfare into an art, and understood how to handle tanks brilliantly in the field. I feel compelled, therefore, to compare him with ''Generalfeldmarschall'' Rommel, who likewise had mastered the art of tank warfare. Both of them had a kind of second sight in regard to this type of warfare.{{Sfn|D'Este|1995|p=815}}{{better source needed|date=September 2024}}</blockquote>

[[Fritz Bayerlein]] said, "I do not think that General Patton would let us get away so easily,"{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=815}} referring to the escape of the Afrika Korps after the [[Second Battle of El Alamein|Battle of El Alamein]]. Field Marshal [[Gerd von Rundstedt]] told ''[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]]'' after his capture, "He is your best."{{Sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=1}}

==Major assignments==
* Director of Instruction, Cavalry School (August 1937 – July 1938)
* Commander, 5th Cavalry (July–December 1938)
* Commander, 3rd Cavalry (December 1938 – July 1940)
* Commander, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Armored Division (16 July 1940 – November 1940)
* Commanding General, 2nd Armored Division (November 1940 to 14 January 1942)
* Commanding General, I Armored Corps (15 January – 5 August 1942)
* Commanding General, London Base Command (6 August – 7 November 1942)
* Commanding General, Western Task Force – (8 November 1942 – 8 January 1943)
* Commanding General, I Armored Corps (9 January – 3 March 1943)
* Commanding General, II Corps (4 March – 14 April 1943)
* Commanding General, I Armored Corps (15 April – 9 July 1943)
* Commanding General, 7th Army (10 July 1943 – 25 January 1944)
* Commanding General, 3rd Army (26 January 1944 – 6 October 1945)
* Commanding General, 15th Army (7 October – 21 December 1945)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/America/United_States/Army/USMA/Cullums_Register/4795*.html | title=George S. Patton, Jr. • Cullum's Register • 4795 }}</ref>

==Orders, decorations and medals==
Patton's decorations included:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biographical register of the officers and graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., from its establishment, in 1802: Supplement, 1940-1950 |url=https://digital-library.usma.edu/digital/collection/p16919coll3/id/20728/rec/1 |access-date=4 August 2024 |publisher=The Association of Graduates, U.S. Military Academy |page=133 |publication-date=December 1955}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=General Patton's Decorations Ribbons Medals and Awards |url=https://www.pattonhq.com/medals.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021004075245/http://www.pattonhq.com/medals.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 October 2002 |access-date=15 May 2024 |website=www.pattonhq.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Military Personnel File for George S. Patton Jr. – National Archives NextGen Catalog |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/57302258 |access-date=15 May 2024 |website=catalog.archives.gov|series=Records of the Army Staff |date=June 1904 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Empric |first=Bruce E. |title=Uncommon Allies: U.S. Army Recipients of Soviet Military Decorations in World War II |publisher=Teufelsberg Press |page=65 |year=2024 |isbn=979-8-3444-6807-5}}</ref>

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="4"|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg|width=110px}}
{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110px}} {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|110px}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Silver Star ribbon.svg|width=110px}}
|[[File:Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|110px]]
|[[File:Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|110px]]
|[[File:Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=|110px]]
|-
|[[File:Silver Lifesaving Medal ribbon.svg|110px]]
|[[File:Mexican Service Medal ribbon.svg|110px]]
|{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=110px}}
|[[File:American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|110px]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=7|type=service-star|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|width=110px}}
|[[File:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|110px]]
|[[File:Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|110px]]
|[[File:Ordre de l'Ouissam Alaouite GC ribbon (Maroc).svg|110px]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|ribbon=TCH_CS_Vojensky_Rad_Bileho_Lva_1st_%281945%29_BAR.svg|width=110px}}
|[[File:LUX Order of Adolphe Nassau Grand Cross BAR.png|110px]]
|[[File:Order of the British Empire (Military) Ribbon.svg|110px]]
|[[File:Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg|110px]]
|-
|[[File:BEL - Order of Leopold - Grand Officer bar.svg|110px]]<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -81px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:UK MID 1920-94.svg|45px]]</span>
|[[File:Order kutuzov1 ribbon.jpg|110px]]
|[[File:Order of the Bath UK ribbon.svg|110px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=CroixdeGuerreFR-BronzeStar.png|width=110}}
|-
|[[File:Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with palm France - ribbon bar.svg|110px]]
|[[File:LUX Croix de Guerre ribbon.svg|110px]]
|[[File:Croix de Guerre 1940-1945 with palm %28Belgium%29 - ribbon bar.png|110px]]
|{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Czechoslovak War Cross 1939-1945 Ribbon.png|width=110px}}
|}

{|class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; margin-bottom: -1px;"
|-
!1st Row
|colspan="6"|[[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Army Distinguished Service Cross]]<br>with one bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]
|colspan="2"|[[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]]<br>with two oak leaf clusters
|colspan="1"|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]<br>(posthumous)
|}
{|class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; margin-top: -1px;"
|-
!2nd Row
|[[Silver Star]]<br>with one oak leaf cluster
|[[Legion of Merit]]
|[[Bronze Star Medal]]
|[[Purple Heart]]
|-
!3rd Row
|[[Silver Lifesaving Medal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/faqs/generalpatton.asp |title=United States Coast Guard |publisher=Uscg.mil |date= |accessdate=21 March 2012}}</ref>
|[[Mexican Service Medal]]
|[[World War I Victory Medal (United States)|World War I Victory Medal]]<br>with four bronze [[campaign star]]s
|[[American Defense Service Medal]]
|-
!4th Row
|[[European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal]]<br>with one silver and two bronze campaign stars
|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|[[Army of Occupation Medal]]<br>with "Germany" clasp (posthumous)
|[[Order of Ouissam Alaouite|Grand Cross of Ouissam Alaouite]]<br><small>(''Morocco'')</small>
|-
!5th Row
|Grand Cross<br>[[Military Order of the White Lion]]<br><small>(''Czechoslovakia'')</small>
|Grand Cross<br>[[Order of Adolphe of Nassau]]<br><small>(''Luxembourg'')</small>
|Honorary Knight Commander<br>[[Order of the British Empire]] (KBE) <br><small>(''United Kingdom'')</small>
|Grand Officer<br />[[Légion d'honneur|Legion of Honor]]<br><small>(''France'')</small>
|-
!6th Row
|Grand Officer<br>[[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold]]<br>with palm <br><small>(''Belgium'')</small>
|[[Order of Kutuzov|Order of Kutuzov First Class]]<br><small>(''Union of Soviet Socialist Republics'')</small>
|Honorary Companion<br>[[Order of the Bath]] (CB)<br><small>(''United Kingdom'')</small>
|[[Croix de guerre 1914–1918|Croix de Guerre]]<br>1914–1918<br>with bronze star <br><small>(''France'')</small>
|-
!7th Row
|[[Croix de guerre 1939–1945|Croix de Guerre]]<br>1939–1945<br>with palm <br><small>(''France'')</small>
|[[Luxembourg War Cross|Croix de Guerre]]<br><small>(''Luxembourg'')</small>
|[[War Cross (Belgium)|Croix de Guerre]] <br>with palm<br><small>(''Belgium'')</small>
|[[Czechoslovak War Cross 1939-1945|Czechoslovak War Cross<br>1939–1945]]
|}
* Note: The rows 1–4 are American medals unless otherwise noted. Rows 5–7 are foreign medals and noted where required.
[[File:George Patton, US Army, General.jpg|thumb|Patton wearing his awards at his home in [[Hamilton, Massachusetts]]]]

== Dates of rank ==
Patton's dates of rank were:{{sfn|The Adjutant General's Office|1944|p=719}}
{| class="wikitable"
! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date
|-
|<!--second lieutenants wore no pin insignia in 1909--> ''No pin insignia for Second Lieutenants in 1909''
|[[US Second Lieutenant|Second Lieutenant]] || [[Regular Army (United States)|Regular Army]] || 11 June 1909
|-
|[[File:US-O2 insignia.svg|13px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[US First Lieutenant|First Lieutenant]] || Regular Army || 23 May 1916
|-
|[[File:US-O3 insignia.svg|33px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Captain (U.S. Army)|Captain]] || Regular Army || 15 May 1917
|-
|[[File:US-O4 insignia.svg|40px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Major (United States)|Major]] || [[National Army (USA)|National Army]] || 26 January 1918
|-
|[[File:US-O5 insignia.svg|40px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] || National Army || 30 March 1918
|-
|[[File:US-O6 insignia.svg|60px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] || National Army || 17 October 1918
|-
|[[File:US-O3 insignia.svg|33px|center]]
| &nbsp;Reverted to permanent rank of [[Captain (U.S. Army)|Captain]] || Regular Army || 30 June 1920
|-
|[[File:US-O4 insignia.svg|40px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Major (United States)|Major]] || Regular Army || 1 July 1920
|-
|[[File:US-O5 insignia.svg|40px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] || Regular Army || 1 March 1934
|-
|[[File:US-O6 insignia.svg|60px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] || Regular Army || 1 July 1938
|-
|[[File:US-O7 insignia.svg|33px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]] || [[Army of the United States]] || 2 October 1940
|-
|[[File:US-O8 insignia.svg|66px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Major general (United States)|Major General]] || Army of the United States || 4 April 1941
|-
|[[File:US-O9 insignia.svg|100px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] || Army of the United States || 12 March 1943
|-
|[[File:US-O7 insignia.svg|33px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]] || Regular Army || 16 August 1944{{efn|name=RANKONE|Official date of rank of 1 September 1943}}
|-
|[[File:US-O8 insignia.svg|66px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[Major general (United States)|Major General]] || Regular Army || 16 August 1944{{efn|name=RANKTWO|Official date of rank of 2 September 1943}}
|-
|[[File:US-O10 insignia.svg|133px|center]]
| &nbsp;[[General (United States)|General]] || Army of the United States || 14 April 1945
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Biography|Olympics|United States}}
* [[General George Patton Museum of Leadership]]
* [[List of members of the American Legion]]
* [[Through a Glass, Darkly (poem)|"Through a Glass, Darkly"]], a poem written by Patton

== Notes and references ==
=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

=== References ===
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=The Adjutant General's Office |title=Official Army Register |date=1944 |volume=2-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JImXQ8D8dWEC&q=Patton+George |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=[[Google Books]] |access-date=28 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930050222/https://books.google.com/books?id=JImXQ8D8dWEC&q=Patton+George |url-status=live}}
* {{Citation |last1=Allen |first1=Thomas |last2=Dickson |first2=Paul |title=The Bonus Army - An American Epic |publisher=[[Walker & Company]] |date=2006 |location=[[London]] |isbn=978-0-8027-7738-6}}
* {{Citation |last=Ambrose |first=Stephen E. |author-link=Stephen E. Ambrose |title=Eisenhower: Soldier and President |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |date=2007 |location=[[New York City]] |isbn=978-0-945707-39-4}}
* {{Citation |last=Atkinson |first=Rick |author-link=Rick Atkinson |date=2007 |title=The Day of Battle - The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943–1944 (The Liberation Trilogy) |publisher=[[Henry Holt and Company]] |location=[[New York City]] |isbn=978-0-8050-6289-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/dayofbattlewarin00atki}}
* {{Citation |first=Alan |last=Axelrod |author-link=Alan Axelrod |date=2006 |title=Patton - A Biography |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |location=[[London]] |isbn=978-1-4039-7139-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/patton00axel}}
* {{Citation |last=Blumenson |first=Martin |author-link=Martin Blumenson |title=The Patton Papers - 1885–1940 |date=1972 |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin]] |isbn=978-0-395-12706-3 |location=[[Boston, Massachusetts]] |url=https://archive.org/details/pattonpapers00patt}}
* {{Citation |last=Blumenson |first=Martin |title=The Patton Papers - 1940–1945|date=1974 |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin]] |isbn=978-0-395-18498-1 |location=[[Boston]]}}
* {{Citation |last=Blumenson |first=Martin |title=Patton - The Man Behind the Legend |isbn=978-0-688-13795-3 |publisher=[[William Morrow and Company]] |location=[[New York City]] |date=1985}}
* {{Citation |last=Brighton |first=Terry |author-link=Terry Brighton |title=Patton, Montgomery, Rommel - Masters of War |publisher=[[Crown Publishing Group]] |date=2009 |isbn=978-0-307-46154-4 |location=[[New York City]] |url=https://archive.org/details/pattonmontgomery00terr}}
* {{Citation |last=DeFelice |first=Jim |title=Omar Bradley - General at War |date=2011 |publisher=Regenery History |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-1-59698-139-3}}
* {{Citation |author-link=Carlo D'Este |first=Carlo |last=D'Este |title=Patton - A Genius for War |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |date=1995 |isbn=978-0-06-016455-3 |location=[[New York City]] |url=https://archive.org/details/pattongeniusforw00dest}}
* {{Citation |author-link=Carlo D'Este |first=Carlo |last=D'Este |title=Eisenhower - A Soldier's Life |publisher=[[Henry Holt and Company]] |location=[[New York City]] |isbn=978-0-8050-5687-7 |date=2002}}
* {{Citation |last=Edey |first=Maitland A. |title=Time Capsule 1943 |publisher=[[Littlehampton Book Services]] |date=1968 |location=[[London]] |isbn=978-0-7054-0270-5}}
* {{Citation |last=Empric |first=Bruce E. |title=Uncommon Allies - U.S. Army Recipients of Soviet Military Decorations in World War II |publisher=Teufelsberg Press |date=2024 |isbn=979-8-3444-6807-5}}
* {{Cite book |last=English |first=John |author-link=John A. English |title=Patton's Peers - The Forgotten Allied Field Army Commanders of the Western Front, 1944−1945 |date=2009 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=978-0-8117-0501-1}}
* {{Citation |last=Essame |first=H. |author-link=Hubert Essame |title=Patton - A Study in Command |location=[[New York City]] |publisher=[[Scribner & Sons]] |isbn=978-0-684-13671-4 |date=1974 |url=https://archive.org/details/pattonstudyincom00essa}}
* {{Citation |last=Evans |first=Colin |title=Great feuds in history: ten of the liveliest disputes ever |publisher=[[John Wiley and Sons]] |location=[[New York City]] |date=2001 |isbn=978-0-471-38038-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/greatfeudsinhist00evan }}
* {{Citation |last=Farago |first=Ladislas |title=Patton: Ordeal and Triumph |isbn=978-1-59416-011-0 |date=1964 |publisher=[[Ivan Sergeyevich Obolensky]] |location=[[New York City]]}}
* {{Citation |last=Farago |first=Ladislas |title=The Last Days of Patton |isbn=978-1-59416-531-3 |publisher=Westholme Publishing LLC |location=[[Yardley, Pennsylvania]] |date=1981}}
* {{Citation |last=Fuller |first=Robert P. |title=Last shots for Patton's Third Army |isbn=978-0-9740519-0-1 |date=2004 |publisher=NETR Press |location=[[Portland, Maine]]}}
* {{Citation |last=Gooderson |first=Ian |title=Air Power at the Battlefront: Allied Close Air Support in Europe 1943–45 |location=[[Portland, Oregon]] |date=1998 |isbn=978-0-7146-4211-6 |publisher=[[Routledge]]}}
* {{Citation |last=Hirshson |first=Stanley |title=General Patton: A Soldier's Life |publisher=[[Harper Perennial]] |location=[[New York City]] |isbn=978-0-06-000983-0 |date=2003}}
* {{Citation |last=Hunt |first=David |author-link=David Hunt (diplomat) |title=A Don at War |location=Great Britain 
|publisher=Frank Cass |date=1990 |orig-date=1966 |edition=revised |isbn=978-0-7146-3383-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/donatwar0000hunt}}
* Hymel, Kevin M.; ''Patton's War: An American General's Combat Leadership, Volume I: November 1942–July 1944'' (University of Missouri Press, 2021) [https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=58982 online review]
* {{Citation |last=Jarymowycz |first=Roman J. |title=Tank tactics: from Normandy to Lorraine |location=[[Boulder, Colorado]] |publisher=[[Lynne Rienner Publishers]] |isbn=978-1-55587-950-1 |date=2001}}
* {{Citation |title=The Mexican Revolution 1910–1920 |first1=Philip |last1=Jowett |first2=Alejandro |last2=de Quesada |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |location=[[London]] |page=25 |isbn=978-1-84176-989-9 |date=2006}}
* {{Citation |last=Le Tissier |first=Tony |title=Patton's Pawns - The 94th US Infantry Division at the Siegfried Line |date=2007 |publisher=[[University of Alabama Press]] |location=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |isbn=978-0-8173-1557-3}}
* {{Citation |last=Lovelace |first=Alexander G. |chapter="Slap Heard around the World" - George Patton and Shell Shock |title=Parameters - The US Army War College Quarterly |volume=49 |issue=no. 3 (Fall 2019) |date=2019 |pages=71–91 |chapter-url=https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/3704.pdf |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215180100/https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/3704.pdf |url-status=live}}
* {{Citation |last=Lovelace |first=Alexander G. |chapter=The Image of a General - The Wartime Relationship between General George S. Patton Jr. and the American Media |title=Journalism History |volume= 40 |issue=no. 2 (Summer 2014) |date=2014 |pages=108–120}}
* {{Citation |last=McNeese |first=Tim |title=Great Battles through the Ages: Battle of the Bulge |publisher=[[Chelsea House Publications]] |location=[[New York City]] |isbn=978-0-7910-7435-0 |date=2003 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/battleofbulge0000mcne}}
* {{Citation |last=Patton |first=George S. |title=War as I Knew It |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin Co.]] |location=[[Boston, Massachusetts]] |date=1947 |isbn=978-1-4193-2492-5}}
* {{Citation |last=Regan |first=Geoffrey |author-link=Geoffrey Regan |title=Military Anecdotes |publisher= [[Guinness Publishing]] |location=[[Enfield, Middlesex]] |date=1992 |isbn=978-0-85112-519-0}}
* {{Citation |last=Rice |first=Earl |title=George S. Patton |publisher=[[Tandem Library Group|Sagebrush Education Resources]] |date=2004 |isbn=978-1-4176-2100-2}}
* {{Citation |last=Rickard |first=John Nelson |title=Patton at Bay - The Lorraine Campaign, September to December 1944 |publisher=Brassey's Inc. |date=2004 |isbn=978-1-57488-782-2 |location=[[Dulles, Virginia]]}}
* {{Citation |last=Showalter |first=Dennis E. |author-link=Dennis Showalter |title=Patton And Rommel - Men of War in the Twentieth Century |edition=2006 |date=2006 |publisher=[[Berkley Books]] |isbn=978-0-425-20663-8 |location=[[New York City]]}}
* {{Citation |last=Steele |first=Brett D. |title=Military Reengineering Between the World Wars |date=2005 |location=[[Chicago]] |publisher=[[Rand McNally|Rand Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-8330-3721-3}}
* {{cite book |last= Trigg  |first= Jonathan |title= To VE-Day through German Eyes: The Final Defeat of Nazi Germany |accessdate=  |edition=  |orig-date=  |year= 2020 |publisher= Amberley |location= Stroud UK |isbn= 978-1-4456-9944-8 |oclc= |page= |pages=  }} 
* {{Citation |last=von Mellenthin |first=Frederich W. |author-link=Friedrich von Mellenthin |title=Panzer Battles - A Study of the Employment of Armor in the Second World War |date=2006 |publisher=Konecky & Konecky |location=[[Old Saybrook, Connecticut]] |isbn=978-1-56852-578-5 |title-link=Panzer Battles (book)}}
* {{Citation |first=Brenton G. |last=Wallace |title=Patton & His Third Army |isbn=978-0-8117-2896-6 |location=[[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]] |publisher=Military Service Publishing Co. |date=1946}}
* {{Citation |last=Zaloga |first=Steven |title=Armored Thunderbolt - The U.S. Army Sherman in World War II |publisher=[[Stackpole Books]] |date=2008 |location=[[Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania]] |isbn=978-0-8117-0424-3}}
* {{Citation |last=Zaloga |first=Steven |title=George S. Patton - Leadership, Strategy, Conflict |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |date=2010 |location=[[Oxford, United Kingdom]] |isbn=978-1-84603-459-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2mG1CwAAQBAJ |access-date=1 January 2017 |archive-date=21 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221012051/https://books.google.com/books?id=2mG1CwAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}
* {{Cite book |title=Pershing's Lieutenants - American Military Leadership in World War I |date=2020 |editor1-last=Zabecki |editor1-first=David T. |editor-link1=David T. Zabecki |editor2-last=Mastriano |editor2-first=Douglas V. |editor2-link=Doug Mastriano |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-4728-3863-6}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last=Barron|first=Leo|title=Patton at the Battle of the Bulge: How the General's Tanks Turned the Tide at Bastogne|publisher=[[New American Library]]|year=2014|isbn=978-0451467881|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rylBAwAAQBAJ&q=leo+barron+patton}}
*{{cite book|last=Barron|first=Leo|title=Patton's First Victory: How General George Patton Turned the Tide in North Africa and Defeated the Afrika Korps at El Guettar|publisher=[[Stackpole Books]]|year=2017|isbn=978-0811718325|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oek5DwAAQBAJ&q=leo+barron+patton}}
*{{cite book|last=Mikolashek|first=Jon B.|title=Blood, Guts, and Grease: George S. Patton in World War I|publisher=[[University Press of Kentucky]]|year=2019|isbn=978-0813177908|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9emhDwAAQBAJ}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120906154117/http://www.pattonhq.com/timeline.html The General George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society – Dedicated to the Life, Career, and Achievements of General George S. Patton, Jr.]}}
* [http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=5299 Cadet Patton at VMI]—Virginia Military Institute Archives
* [http://www.generalpatton.org/ General George Patton Museum] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624064121/http://www.generalpatton.org/ |date=24 June 2008 }})
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.pattonuncovered.com/index.htm |title=Patton Uncovered |access-date=5 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070628163408/http://www.pattonuncovered.com/index.htm |archive-date=28 June 2007 |url-status=dead}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060528203232/http://www.efour4ever.com/44thdivision/bridgehead.htm Lost Victory&nbsp;– Strasbourg, November 1944]}}
* {{Internet Archive short film|id=gov.archives.arc.2569725|name=The General George S. Patton Story}}
* [https://www.loc.gov/collections/george-s-patton-diaries/about-this-collection/ George S. Patton Papers: Diaries, 1910–1945] at the [[Library of Congress]]
* {{PM20|FID=pe/013296}}
* [http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/5-famous-pasadenans-who-were-veterans/ Five Famous Locals Who Were Veterans: Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. (1885–1945) at Pasadena now.com] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114140527/http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/5-famous-pasadenans-who-were-veterans/ |date=14 January 2020 }})
* [https://generals.dk/general/Patton/George_Smith_Jr./USA.html Generals of World War II]
* [https://www.unithistories.com/officers/US_Army_officers_P01.html#Patton%20Jr._GS United States Army Officers 1939–1945]

{{S-start}}
{{S-ach}}
{{S-bef
| before = [[Thomas Beecham|Sir Thomas Beecham]]<br />[[Walter F. George]]<br />[[Matthew Ridgway]]
}}
{{S-ttl
| title = [[List of people on the cover of Time magazine (1940s)|Cover of ''Time'' magazine]]
| years = 12 April 1943<br />26 July 1943<br />9 April 1945
}}
{{S-aft
| after = [[Manuel Ávila Camacho]]<br />[[Ingrid Bergman]]<br />[[Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.]]
}}
|-
{{S-mil}}
{{S-bef
| before = [[Charles L. Scott (U.S. Army general)|Charles L. Scott]]
}}
{{S-ttl
| title = [[2nd Armored Division (United States)|Commanding General 2nd Armored Division]]
| years = 1941–1942
}}
{{S-aft
| after = [[Willis D. Crittenberger]]
}}
|-
{{S-bef
| before = [[Charles L. Scott (U.S. Army general)|Charles L. Scott]]
}}
{{S-ttl
| title = [[I Armored Corps (United States)|Commanding General I Armored Corps]]
| years = 1942–1943
}}
{{S-aft
| after = [[Geoffrey Keyes]]
}}
|-
{{S-bef
| before = [[Lloyd Fredendall]]
}}
{{S-ttl
| title = [[II Corps (United States)|Commanding General II Corps]]
| years = March–April 1943
}}
{{S-aft
| after = [[Omar Bradley]]
}}
|-
{{S-new|command
}}
{{S-ttl
| title = [[Seventh United States Army|Commanding General Seventh Army]]
| years = 1943–1944
}}
{{S-aft
| after = [[Mark W. Clark]]
}}
|-
{{S-bef
| before = [[Courtney Hodges]]
}}
{{S-ttl
| title = [[United States Army Central|Commanding General Third Army]]
| years = 1944–1945
}}
{{S-aft
| after = [[Lucian Truscott]]
}}
|-
{{S-bef
| before = [[Leonard T. Gerow]]
}}
{{S-ttl
| title = [[Fifteenth United States Army|Commanding General Fifteenth Army]]
| years = October–December 1945
}}
{{S-aft
| after = [[Hobart R. Gay]]
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Patton, George S.}}
[[Category:George S. Patton| ]]
[[Category:1885 births]]
[[Category:1945 deaths]]
[[Category:19th-century American Episcopalians]]
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[[Category:American male modern pentathletes]]
[[Category:American recipients of the Croix de guerre (Belgium)]]
[[Category:American recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)]]
[[Category:American recipients of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Antisemitism in California]]
[[Category:Anti-Russian sentiment]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite]]
[[Category:Honorary companions of the Order of the Bath]]
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[[Category:Military personnel from Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Modern pentathletes at the 1912 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic modern pentathletes for the United States]]
[[Category:Patton family|George S.]]
[[Category:People from San Gabriel, California]]
[[Category:People with dyslexia]]
[[Category:Race-related controversies]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Czechoslovak War Cross 1939–1945]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the White Lion]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:Road incident deaths in Germany]]
[[Category:United States Army Cavalry Branch personnel]]
[[Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:United States Army generals of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:United States Army War College alumni]]
[[Category:United States Military Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States military governors]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Kutuzov, 1st class]]