Patton

He's been called a number of things, including military genius, a legend, and a son-of-a-bitch. But, almost 50 years after his death,

he's still considered to be the one U.S. Army General epitomizing the fighting soldier of World War II.

Patton was a man of contradictory characteristics. He was a noted horseman and polo player, a well-known champion swordsman,

and a competent sailor and sportsman. He was an amateur poet. Sixteen of his analytical papers were published in military magazines, the

trade journals of the military profession. While he was a rough and tough soldier, he was also a thoughtful and sentimental man. Unpredictable

in his actions, he was always dependable. He was outgoing, yet introverted. History proves him to be a complex and paradoxical

figure.

He's mostly remembered for his unique brand of leadership. It was a role he cultivated and fully exercised. He managed to obtain a

supreme effort from his men. His charisma, symbolized by a flamboyant and well-publicized image, stimulated his troops to an incredible

level. His unflagging efforts generated desire from his soldiers to fight and destroy the enemy.

He personified the offensive spirit, a ruthless drive, and an imperative will to conquer. Being the prominent champion of combat

effectiveness, particularly with respect to the employment of armored forces, Patton elevated the blitzkrieg (lightning war) concept to a

state of scientific precision.

His occasionally brutal methods were, for the most part, approved by his men. Patton's battle hardened soldiers understood and

shrewdly sanctioned his actions. They were fully cognizant of war's demands. They also knew that if anyone could help them to get home

alive, Patton was the one.

Patton understood that war means fighting and fighting means killing. He's the one soldier from the Second World War who stands

apart from the rest, who best personifies that murderous concept, who embodies indispensable warlike virtues, and the will to conquer.

Patton, without deviation, exerted his full energies toward the pursuit of excellence. He fought the temptations to relax, to be lazy. He

was harder on himself and more demanding of himself than he was of any subordinate.

Benjamin Davis Wilson was a remarkable man -- a pioneer, trapper, adventurer, Indian trader and Indian fighter, and finally, a

respectable man of means. Born in Tennessee, he worked his way across the American continent to southern California long before it was

California. By marrying a daughter of a wealthy Mexican he gained vast landholdings. After the death of the first Mrs. Wilson, Benjamin

married an American citizen. The second Mrs. Wilson gave birth to a daughter who would eventually meet and marry George S. Patton,

Sr. Their union would produce the future general and World War II commander of the famous United States Third Army.

Don Benito Wilson, as he was called by the Mexicans and Indians of Old California, established orange industry in California,

planted the first vineyards, and furnished the name for Mount Wilson. Twice elected to the state legislature, he was highly and widely

respected. Don Benito was the future general's grandfather.

The Patton side of Patton's family regarded themselves as genteel Virginians. Their lineage was traced to George Washington and

beyond that to a king of England and a King of France. The Pattons were reportedly related to at least 16 signers of England's Magna

Charta. This is the heritage of General Patton

At age 11, Patton entered a private school in Pasadena, California. At 18 he entered the Virginia Military Institute, following in the

tradition of his father and grandfather. Compiling a splendid record, he received no demerits in a full year's attendance.

He accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point after a year at Virginia Military Institute. The

principal reason for entrance to the Academy was because upon graduation he would automatically receive a commission in the United

States Army.

In 1909, he graduated 46th in a class of 103. He had held the rank of Cadet Corporal, Sergeant Major, and Adjutant. He won his

school letter by breaking a school record in the hurdles event. Upon graduation, he became a Cavalry officer and soon afterward, married

a charming young lady from Massachusetts. Her family was immensely wealthy, her father owning the American Woolen Company.

In 1912, Patton attended the Olympics held at Stockholm, Sweden. That same year, a young Indian named Jim Thorpe made history

by winning and dominating the games.

Patton competed in the modern military pentathlon. The events included pistol shooting, a 300 meter swim, fencing, a steeplechase,

and a cross-country foot race. He finished a very respectable fifth place.

After the games, and at his own expense, Patton traveled to the French Cavalry School located at Saumer, France to take lessons from

the fencing instructor there. He purposely cultivated his own reputation as a swordsman, and he later designed a saber that the United

States Cavalry adopted; the M-1913 Saber. Long before he became known as Old Blood and Guts (a name he hated), he was known as

Saber George. For a very young second lieutenant,