General Patton
Origins / Personal background of General Patton
George Smith Patton Junior was born on the 11th of November 1885 in San Marino, California. Patton’s family were wealthy and lived on a 2000 acre property. His family background was of Scottish-Irish and English descent, and nearly all of his late ancestors had served in the military from the American Revolution to the American Civil War.
During his early childhood, Patton struggled to read and write, however after some time, he was able to overcome these difficulties. His parents enrolled him in school at age 11 where he excelled in most subjects, especially history, where he read countless books on famous military generals, including Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte.
At 25, Patton married Beatrice Banning Ayer and had three children, Beatrice Smith, Ruth Ellen and George Patton IV. As a result of Patton’s military heritage, he enrolled in the United States Military Academy in 1902. From 1903 to 1904 he attended the Virginia Military Institute and was later recommended to West Point.
Patton performed poorly academically, and was forced to repeat the first year of his studies. However, he was proficient at military drills earning the respect of many of his fellow cadets and commanding officers. Later, after injuring his arm in football, he adopted fencing and became the best swordsmen at the military academy. He graduated 46th of 103 from West point and received the commission of a second lieutenant in the cavalry on June the 11th 1909.
Early Military Career
The Border War on the Mexican – American border had raged since 1910, with frequent skirmishes between Mexican Rebels and the United States Army. To combat this, units of the American Army were sent to the Southern States to protect civilians and prevent further attacks from occurring. In 1915 Patton was assigned to the 8th Cavalry in Sierra Blanca. During his time in the detachment, he equipped himself with an ivory handled Colt Single Action
George Smith Patton Junior was born on the 11th of November 1885 in San Marino, California. Patton’s family were wealthy and lived on a 2000 acre property. His family background was of Scottish-Irish and English descent, and nearly all of his late ancestors had served in the military from the American Revolution to the American Civil War.
During his early childhood, Patton struggled to read and write, however after some time, he was able to overcome these difficulties. His parents enrolled him in school at age 11 where he excelled in most subjects, especially history, where he read countless books on famous military generals, including Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte.
At 25, Patton married Beatrice Banning Ayer and had three children, Beatrice Smith, Ruth Ellen and George Patton IV. As a result of Patton’s military heritage, he enrolled in the United States Military Academy in 1902. From 1903 to 1904 he attended the Virginia Military Institute and was later recommended to West Point.
Patton performed poorly academically, and was forced to repeat the first year of his studies. However, he was proficient at military drills earning the respect of many of his fellow cadets and commanding officers. Later, after injuring his arm in football, he adopted fencing and became the best swordsmen at the military academy. He graduated 46th of 103 from West point and received the commission of a second lieutenant in the cavalry on June the 11th 1909.
Early Military Career
The Border War on the Mexican – American border had raged since 1910, with frequent skirmishes between Mexican Rebels and the United States Army. To combat this, units of the American Army were sent to the Southern States to protect civilians and prevent further attacks from occurring. In 1915 Patton was assigned to the 8th Cavalry in Sierra Blanca. During his time in the detachment, he equipped himself with an ivory handled Colt Single Action