George S. Patton

Background

George Smith Patton Jr. was born on November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California. His father worked as an attorney and businessman and became the first mayor of San Marino, California. He had one younger sister named Anne. During his childhood, Patton struggled to learn reading and writing but excelled in adulthood. He was tutored at home and enrolled in Stephen Clark’s School for Boys at 11. Patton became an avid reader and was especially interested in reading classical military history. He read about major leaders such as Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Joan of Arc.

Patton attended Virginia Military Institute which his father and grandfather attended. There, Senator Thomas R. Bard nominated him for West Point. While he performed well in military drills, his academic performance was so poor that he had to repeat his first year. In 1909, Patton graduated at number 46 out of 103 cadets. He became a second lieutenant at the Cavalry branch.

In 1916, Patton entered combat during the Pancho Villa Expedition. He was a part of the United States Tank Corps during World War I. He also commanded the second Armored Division during World War II. He became the first Allied commander to reach Messina when he commanded the U.S. Seventh Army during the Allied invasion of Sicily. Patton served in the Mexican Punitive Expedition, World War I, and World War II. He became a four-star officer in 1945. Patton won many military decorations and medals such as the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and the Silver Star. He continued serving until his death.