General Patton Case

General Patton

George S. Patton was one of the most colorful American military leaders of the 20th century. He may possibly be the most written about American general, he remains to this day a much loved and discussed figure form American history.

George Patton was born in San Gabriel Township, California on November 11, 1885 to parents George Smith Patton Sr. and Ruth Wilson. Patton as a child grew up hearing about military glory and had a background of soldiers and generals, such as his grandfather General Hugh Mercer of the American Revolution. Later in 1902, Patton entered VMI. After his first year there, he got an appointment to West Point. He accepted the Appointment and left VMI due to the fact that he would automatically get a commission in the army upon his graduation. However Patton did not pass West Point the first year due to troubles in math, but he was allowed to repeat his first year. During his years at West Point Patton was generally disliked by the other cadets in the academy because he had spent most of his previous years learning military things and the other students resented him for that.

Even though he had a very hard time due to his learning disability he graduated in the class of 1909, 46th in a class of 103. Although Patton had broken both of his arms playing football and was on the 2nd team, he still lettered by breaking a West Point record in Hurdles. After graduating he was given a commission in the Calvary. One year after graduating West Point he married his childhood friend Beatrice Ayer, daughter of a wealthy textile baron.

In 1912 Patton attended the Olympics in Stockholm his event was the first military pentathlon. He ended up placing 5th out of 46 but would have been first but was having sighting difficulties with his pistol. Patton believed in physical competition, forming fencing and polo teams at whatever base he was assigned to. While based in Europe Patton attended the French Calvary School to study fencing. Later when he returned to the states he was assigned to the US Army Cavalry School and was made the army’s first “Master of the Sword”. As “Master of the Sword” he redesigned the army cavalry saber, creating the m-1913 cavalry saber. The m -1913 had a basket shaped hilt mounting a straight, double-edged, thrusting blade designed for use by light Calvary saber. Patton also designed a manual for the army called “saber exercise” which outlined a system of training for both mounted and on foot use of the saber.

In 1916 Patton was part of the Mexican border campaign; he was assigned to the 13th cavalry regiment in Fort Bliss, TX. As a part of the Mexican border campaign, he aided in the pursuit of Poncho Villa. When he returned home he had obtained a level of notoriety, which was partially to thank for his promotion to captain at the start of WW I. “You can’t run an army without profanity;