This is the second time that I have had to post this blog because I think that I had accidentally deleted this blog while editing another blog last week. I hope that it wont affect my grade but I got it posted back up once I realized that it was not in my log of blogs.
We all know that World War 2 was a time of great destruction, national distrust, death, and struggle. We know that it was also a time for glory, friendship, victory, and greatness. But what made this war a time for greatness? The question is not what, but who. Who were the men and women who strove to win the war in the name of peace and justice?
Today I will be briefly covering the life of one person who showed his fellow man that greatness and victory is not granted, but fought for. This man was General George Smith Patton Jr. General Patton is considered to be the most successful military tacticians in history. I just can’t believe that I have never heard of him prior to my African research. After learning about this man’s life, I can see why he was great.
George S. Patton was born onNovember 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California. San Gabriel is now known as San Marino California. As a young boy, George was extremely fascinated in wars and battles. He would often be found reading about famous military conflicts. George was also enticed by his long ancestry of soldiers and commanders.
George listened to many stories about his grandfathers and great grandfathers who fought in the Revolutionary war, the Mexican War, the Civil War, and other conflicts. He saw honor and glory in those stories and vowed that he would become a famous general and war hero. George went to a few different military schools before finally settling on and graduating from the famous US Military Academy West Point in New York in 1909.
A year later, George married Beatrice Ayer, and in 1912 he joined the United States Olympic team to compete in the first pentathlon ever. The pentathlon was originally a military only sport in which the skills of the officer should be expected to complete the events.
The events consisted of: pistol shooting from 25 meters, sword fencing, a 300 meter free style swim, 800 meters horse back riding and a 4-kilometer cross country run. He placed fifth overall. Patton was well known for his fencing skills along with his sound pistol shooting.
After the Olympics, George continued with his fencing and sword fighting skills at the French Cavalry School. He was later reassigned to the Mounted Service School in Fort Riley, Kansas, where he became the school's first Master of the Sword. George was so skilled that he created and taught swordsmanship while he was still a student at the school. If that doesn’t tell you that this guy was serious when it came to achievement, I don’t know what will.
George then served under General John Pershing. George was on the tactical staff during the crisis in Mexico with Pancho Villa. George was head of Cavalry patrols along the Mexican border to ensure at least a small amount of peace and little Mexican resistance.
When George traveled along side with General Pershing, the General was impressed by George’s combat skills and success at capturing Pancho’s men. George was promoted to Captain.
In the onset of World War 1, George was part of the United States’ first ever tank corps. Tanks were only just being used and the capabilities for tanks had not yet been truly explored. George won recognition for his cunning in battle in the world’s first ever major tank battle in France. In 1920 George took control of the tank corps and used his knowledge of tanks to improve telecommunications between tank divisions and the overall combat design of his tanks.
During the campaign in France, George was constantly exposedwhile trying to relay messages from the front lines where the tanks were to the rear troops of his divisions. George was shot in the leg while he was directing the tanks. George was quickly rising through the ranks of respect and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for Heroism.
George experienced first hand the devastating power that tanks could inflict during battle. He knew that tank warfare would make or break a war. He petitioned for congress to fund a larger tank corps but was unsuccessful. Despite his attempts, he wrote extensively and carried out experiments to improve radio communications between tanks. He also helped invent the co-axial tank mount for cannons and machine guns. This meant that the mount or top of the tank with the cannon could swivel a full 360 degrees while the body of the tank moved in a separate direction. This guy was brilliant.
When Congress saw what Hitler’s Blitzkrieg had done to Poland and France, they granted the George Patton his tank funding. George was named General and led the American Western Task force which allied with British forces for operation Torch. This Operation was an extensive invasion of Northern Africa, namely Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, to liberate French forces under the Vichy Government and to draw some attention away from the Soviet Union where Hitler was focusing much of his attention.
The Operation was a success and General Patton commanded the 7th Army in the liberation of Sicily which is an island in the Mediterranean. General Patton then took the 7th and 3rd armies through France. They liberated quite a bit of French land that was under control by the Vichy government. They also moved through Belgium, Luxembourg, and some of Germany.
Whenever they would liberate a concentration camp, Patton would make it a point to basically force all of the Germans in the area to tour through the camps and see the horrible and evil suffering that was really experienced by the Jews and other enemies of Hitler. General Patton and his 3rd Army liberated over 81,552 square miles of enemy territory. Holy cow!
In 1945, General Patton was given command of the Fifteenth Army but suffered serious wounds after a fatal car crash. General George Smith Patton Junior succumbed to his wounds twelve days later and died On December 21, 1945. He was 60 years old and was buried with those who had died at the Battle of the Bulge.
Here is a quote from an article regarding the great General Patton; “Remembered for his fierce determination and ability to lead soldiers, Patton is now considered one of the greatest military figures in history. The 1970 film, "Patton," starring George C. Scott in the title role, provoked renewed interest in Patton. The movie won seven Academy Awards, including Best Actor and Best Picture, and immortalized General George Smith Patton, Jr. as one of the world's most intriguing military men.”
Now I don’t know about you, but I think that this guy was the real deal. He knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish in his lifetime at a very young age. Some may argue that war is not an ideal or morally right career choice, but you have to remember that in those days, war seemed to be a natural part of life for everyone and glory was found in kuch of it no matter whose side you fought on.
It was also a time when countries went to war when other countries would insult them. That isn’t the smartest choice. I hope that you have gleaned a bit of insight into the complicated and full life of General Patton and I am surprised and sorry that I have never heard of him before. I now have great respect for this man and hope that you do too.
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