George Patton (1885–1945,) fully George Smith Patton, Jr., was an American Army officer. An outstanding tactical commander of World War II, his leadership in the European and Mediterranean theatres were distinguished by boldness and inventive use of armor.
Born in San Gabriel, California, to a family with an extensive military background, Patton attended the Virginia Military Institute and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was highly athletic, as well as a remarkable fencer and equestrian.
Patton served as an aide to Gen. John J. Pershing during the army’s attempt to capture the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa 1916–17. Patton then accompanied Pershing to France in 1917 and became a specialist in tank warfare.
During World War II, Patton commanded the Western Task Forces, whose invasion of North Africa in 1942 led to the French surrender there in only three days. Patton gained quick victory after the Allied invasion of Sicily (1943.) He trained the U.S. 3rd Army to follow the Allies into France after D-Day (1944) and won praise for his boldness and surefootedness. Patton’s quick action in the Battle of the Bulge (1944–45) was instrumental in ending the Nazi offensive and led to his becoming a four-star general.
Patton’s strict discipline, toughness, and self-sacrifice elicited extraordinary pride within his ranks; he earned the nickname “Old Blood-and-Guts.” However, his brash actions and mercurial temper led to frequent controversies during his career. He was twice reprimanded by Dwight D. Eisenhower, who consequently elevated Omar Bradley, Patton’s immediate subordinate, to be Patton’s superior, and in command of the 12th U.S. Army Group for the pivotal invasion of Normandy.
An outspoken critic of the Soviets and the rapid denazification of postwar toward Germany, Patton failed as head of the occupation of Bavaria and was reassigned to command the 15th U.S. Army Group. He died from an automobile accident near Mannheim.
Patton’s autobiography, War as I Knew It, appeared posthumously in 1947.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by George S. Patton
Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Morality
Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Work
The most vital quality a soldier can possess is self-confidence, utter, complete and bumptious.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Soldiers, Self Confidence, Confidence
All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Courage, Fear
If I do my full duty, the rest will take care of itself.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Duty
You need to overcome the tug of people against you as you reach for high goals.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Goals
Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.
—George S. Patton
The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Goals, Simplicity, Welfare
There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Anxiety, Fear
I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.
—George S. Patton
A civil servant is sometimes like a broken cannon – it won’t work and you can’t fire it.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Government
Always do more than is required of you.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Service
If we take the generally accepted definition of bravery as a quality which knows no fear, I have never seen a brave man. All men are frightened. The more intelligent they are, the more they are frightened.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Courage, Fear
A pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Work
I do not fear failure. I only fear the “slowing up” of the engine inside of me which is pounding, saying, “Keep going, someone must be on top, why not you?”
—George S. Patton
Topics: Mistakes, Ambition, Failure
Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base.
—George S. Patton
Topics: War
Be willing to make decisions. That’s the most important quality in a good leader.
—George S. Patton
Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Dedication, Will, Will Power, Willpower, Enthusiasm, Commitment, Warfare
If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.
—George S. Patton
Battle is an orgy of disorder.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Disorder
Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Success, Victory, Challenges
If you tell people where to go, but not how to get there, you’ll be amazed at the results.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Motivation, Problem-solving
A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Planning
A good battle plan that you act on today can be better than a perfect one tomorrow
—George S. Patton
Topics: Battle
Pressure makes diamonds.
—George S. Patton
Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn’t give a hoot and hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost nor ever lose a war.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Americans
A good plan violently executed right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Planning
The fixed determination to have acquired the warrior soul, to either conquer or perish with honor, is the secret of victory.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Dedication, Commitment, Risk, Victory
If a man does his best, what else is there?
—George S. Patton
Topics: Best, Effort
In 40 hours I shall be in battle, with little information, and on the spur of the moment will have to make the most momentous decisions. But I believe that one’s spirit enlarges with responsibility and that, with God’s help, I shall make them, and make them right.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Confidence, Decisions, Assurance
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