George S. Patton was a renowned U.S. Army general who played a pivotal role in leading American forces in North Africa and Europe during World War II. As commander of the Third Army, Patton led troops across vast territories in France, Germany, and other countries, liberating more land than any other army in the war. He is especially remembered for his leadership during the pivotal Battle of the Bulge, where he relieved American soldiers fighting in Bastogne. After the war, Patton continued serving in the military until his death in 1945 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

1. “Do everything you ask of those you command.”
By Anna Furman

2.  Born November 11, 1885, died December 21,
1945
 Patton was a U.S. Army officer best known for
his leadership in WWII
Patton Museum in Fort Knox, KY

3.  In November 1942, Patton commanded the
Western Task Force, which participated in
Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North
Africa.
 During the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, Patton
commanded the Seventh Army.
 In 1944, he was given command of the Third
Army in France, which covered 600 miles across
France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany,
Austria, and Czechoslovakia.
 In December, Patton’s Third Army marched into
Bastogne to relieve soldiers fighting in the Battle of
the Bulge.
 After succeeding there, the Third Army drove
relentlessly into Germany, across the Rhine, and into
Austria. By the end of the war, they were in
Czechoslovakia.
 The Third Army conquered more territory and
killed/wounded more enemies than any other
army in recorded war history.

5.  After liberating the
Buchenwald concentration
camp, Patton instituted a
policy of making German
civilians tour the camps.
 This policy was later
adopted by many other
commanders.
 By the end of WWII, the
Third army had liberated
or conquered 81,522 square
miles of territory.
 In October 1945, Patton
was in command of the
Fifteenth Army in
American-occupied
Germany. German civilians forced to tour Buchenwald

6.  On December ninth Patton
suffered injuries from an
automobile accident.
 He died 12 days later, on
December 21, 1945, at the age of
60.
 He had requested to be buried
with his men
 He is buried in Hamm,
Luxembourg, among the soldiers
who died at the Battle of the
Bulge.
 Many believed that his death was
a good thing because he died at
the peak of his success. Also,
many believed he would have
been angered by the way America
had used the victory of WWII
politically.

7.  In 1970, a film was
made about Patton,
provoking renewed
interest in the
historical figure.
 http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=LI4_58
YmzBA
 In 1986, a TV movie
was made called “The
Last Days of Patton”,
dramatizing his death.

8.  George Patton was a vital character in war history
because of his tremendous achievements during
his military years. Other than WWII, he helped
and inspired many militaristic ideals and
strategies. For instance, he was the first to use a
motor vehicle for battle. He was an inspiration to
his troops because he expected more out of himself
than he did out of his subordinates. Before battle,
he told his troops that they must kill the enemy,
even if he should surrender, so that they are
viewed as killers. His philosophy was that this
reputation would make enemies more hesitant to
fight.

9.  Patton’s role in World War II was also
immensely important, especially as
commander of the Third Army. His troops
conquered and liberated more territory than
any other army in war history. He is very well
known for his heroism in the Battle of the
Bulge, when he turned his troops 100 miles in a
different direction than was their goal to help
the forces holding Bastogne. His speeches back
home also had a great impact on the American
people. His views were, many times, very
controversial and he became known for his
extreme perspective.

10.  http://www.generalpatton.com/biography.html
 http://www.patton-
mania.com/George_S_Patton/george_s_patton.ht
ml
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton