George S Patton
Essay by review • February 15, 2011 • Essay • 789 Words (4 Pages) • 1,625 Views
George S. Patton was not only a successful General during WWII but also a military genius, but his arrogance was his down fall in his later accomplishments.
Patton even at a young age was highly intelligent. He had a large understanding of literature but didn't learn to read till the age of 12. His dream was to attend West Point Military Academy. The first year after he graduated high school he attended his father's military school. The next year he got into West Point. He had troubles in math caused him to stay another year at west point. In 1910 he married Bee Ayer. Two years later he went to the 1912 Olympics and placed third in a competition that is usually highly European dominated.
Patton then joins the military starting as a lieutenant in the army. He requests to go to France and learn "The Sword". His studies help him to become U.S. Army's Master of the Sword. He later designs a sword as well as a manual teaching a more offensive style of the sword. By this time WWI roles around and he request to serve in the French Calvary. He is turned down and is sent to Fort Bliss in 1915. He stays here until 1916 doing routine calvay patrols. While on a mission Patton kills General Cardenas the head of the Villa's Bodyguard this action made the single action colt pistol famous. After that he is promoted to a 1st Lt. Later General Pershing asks him to command headquarter troops and promotes him to captain. He was one of the first to command the New U.S. Tank Corps. Then he starts a tank school in Langres, France. There is promoted twice to Lt. Colonel and receives Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Serves Cross.
WWII roles around and in November of 1942 Patton and his mean participated in the invasion of North Africa. He is then promoted to Lt. general by General Eisenhower and put in charge of the new 2nd Corps. Then he is given command of the 7th Army in April of 1943. Later while most of the 7th army was transferred to the 5th to fight in Italy Patton was still in Palermo awaiting new assignments. They expected him to lead a major invasion. When he was sent to Corsica, the Germans were convinced he would lead an invasion of southern France. When he was sent to Cairo, they feared for an invasion through the Balkans. These diversions caused the Germans to tie down a great many troops to counter the Patton bogeyman. On January 1944 Patton was finally sent to England to form his new 3rd army, which he would to lead to glory in the campaign to liberate Europe. Later after
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