General S. Patton once said, “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” Some may argue that his life was cut short while others may say it was too long. Being a man who fought in World War I and World War II, George S. Patton, Jr. certainly contained a wealth of experience in warfare. Looking at the written history, there were those who seemed to undervalue Patton, as well as those who may have held him much too high. Researchers have many different opinions on Patton’s’ leadership, but the research here will encompass both the positive and the negative aspects of his leadership and surrounding issues while addressing the following questions:
1. How was Patton as a leader?
2. Patton versus Politics – Did this hold back his true potential?
3. How was Patton viewed by the Allies and the Axis during World War II?
The research put forth will focus on these three questions.
George Smith Patton, Jr. was born November 11, 1885, well over one hundred years ago. He is famously known for somewhat outrageous personality and his conduct as a general during World War II. The family he was born into was wealthy and one with a very extensive military background, with family members having participated in the Revolutionary War, Mexican War, as well as the Civil War. This may explain a little about Patton’s almost obsessive study of military history ranging from the Romans to the Napoleonic Wars (CMG Worldwide, Inc., n.d.).
He
George Patton was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California to George Smith Patton and Ruth Wilson. His mother was a wealthy businessperson who made her wealth in the winery business. His father was a district attorney of Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a ranch amid wealth and power. His family had a long history in the military. His paternal ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War general and his grandfather was a colonel for the Confederates. One was killed at Cedar Creek. His maternal grandfather was mayor of Los Angeles. George Patton loved to hunt, fish, and ride as a child. He did not go to school until he was twelve years old; however, he was tutored at home. He was enrolled at a private school, Pasadena’s elite Classic School for Boys because he had dyslexia. He loved to tell military adventure stories and as a
George Smith Patton Jr. was born November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California. He was born to George Smith Patton Sr. and his wife Ruth Wilson and had a younger sister, Anne. When Patton was child, he had difficulty learning to read and write, though he eventually overcame this and during his adult life he was known to be and great reader. Up until he was eleven years of age, he was home tutored, but then he was enrolled in Stephen Clark’s School for Boys, a private school in Pasadena, California, for six years.
The purpose of this paper is to address how I, SSG Schumacher, have identified Major Robert Rogers as a legacy leader and a leader of influence in my military career as a non-commissioned officer and member of the military intelligence community. This paper will cover three main topics in which I will first discuss a brief history of the life of Major Rogers. Then, his impact on the evolution of warfare and leadership attributes on the United States Army. Finally, I will discuss how his leadership attributes led to him making an impact on the military today and Soldiers such as myself.
George Patton was born on November 11, 1885 and grew up in San Gabriel, California. As a young kid, George Patton always wanted to be a hero. Fighting in wars was in his blood and “he always was known for carrying pistols with ivory handles.”(General George Patton Biography). Parts of George Patton’s family had fought in the Civil War,
George Smith Patton always had a lifelong interest in the military and war. Patton was born on the 11th of November 1885 in San Gabriel, California. Patton was a dyslexic young man so school was hard for him (river editor, 42). He had low self esteem and he cried often (river editor,42). Patton’s parents had a lot of military experience, and he wanted to follow in their footsteps. Because of his dyslexia,
General Patton’s lineage can be traced as far back as “Edward I, king of England, and his wife Margaret, daughter of Philip III of France” which became a family prideful sentiment (Blumenson 24). George Smith Patton, General Patton’s grandfather, “was a colonel in command of the 22d Virginia Infantry” for the South during the Civil War where he sustained a fatal wound “at the third battle of Winchester,
George Patton Jr. was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California to parents Ruth WIlson Patton and George Patton Sr. He only had one sibling, Anne Wilson Patton, who was two years younger than him.A fiery and energetic boy, he was always fascinated by stories of his ancestors in early America’s wars, and set his sights on furthering that military legacy. After completing basic school in 1903, he attended the Virginia Military Academy for a year, until transferring to West Point in 1905. He was a lackluster student, but whatever he didn’t have in the
One year after the United States of America officially entered World War Two, George S. Patton became General George S. Patton after Dwight Eisenhower observed his skills. He was given command of the Western Task Force. Succeeding by a landslide there, he was then given control of a larger army, the Seventh Army. Patton of course, was successful in directing this group, but he had to be switched over to command the Third Army, on the front lines. This is where his book of memoirs, “War As I Knew It”, truly begins, featuring memoirs from Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge, and many other military
On November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California, George Smith Patton Jr., later on known as one of the most interesting military men in history was born. Throughout his early childhood, Patton would hear the heroic stories of his ancestors. It appeared that Patton’s ancestors fought in several wars, including the Civil, Mexican, and Revolutionary war. Could it be that being a military leader was in Patton’s genes? On June 11, 1909, Patton graduated the US Military Academy at West Point, New York- one of the best military academies in the U.S.
General Norman Schwarzkopf had a long lasting career in the United States Army as a follower and a leader. Schwarzkopf’s Army career began with experiencing the Vietnam War, Cold War and eventually commanding the US Central Command (CENTCOM) during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. His ability as a follower and leader influenced multiple layers of personnel in executing military operations, and fostering affiliations amongst the military leadership in the fog of war. This paper will focus on followership and leadership of General Schwarzkopf successful Army career particular that of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
Often times when people talk about General Douglas MacArthur, they tend to think of a great military leader of the World War Two (WWII) or the Korean War. General MacArthur once said, “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” General Douglas MacArthur, also known as Mac, was a Visionary Leader that not only shaped the outcome of the Korean War but Japan as well. However, he was not the most Ethical Leader to serve in the United States Military, which led to him being relieved of duty by President Truman in 1951. In this paper we will review not just how he was a visionary but at times unethical and how I relate those leadership traits to my own.
George S. Patton was one of the most famous American Army leaders of his time. Many people who served under Patton have different opinions about him. Some say that he was the best leader they had ever met while others despised him. There are curiously enough, very few opinions of the great General that fall in between the two extremes.
Allowing people to solve problems and perform certain tasks on their own merely with guidance is key to being an effective leader. George S. Patton-- one of the most highly regarded generals in World War II-- stated, “Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” Patton did not constantly give his soldiers specific orders, but instead provided them with a plan and allowed them figure out how to approach the situation. This is a superb leadership tactic because it allows people to learn on their own and develop a greater understanding of the situation. Patton’s collaborative leadership strategy also benefited his relationship with his
Born on November 11th,1885 General Patton was an outspoken American leader who was in charge of U.S troops in World War 2. World War 2 began when Germany invaded Poland on September 2nd,1939. Initially, the United States were going to stay out of the conflict until, December 7th, 1941 when Japan bombed the Pearl Harbor destroying their naval bases and anticipating their participation in the war. During this time, General Patton was assigned commander of World War 2. To his men, he was considered fearless because Patton never backed down from battle. Often called “Old blood and Guts”, his strict discipline and structure is what made him a respectable man in military history. Patton uses the elements of Patriotism, Profanity, realism , and unity in his speech to his third army to build a strong relationship with his country and his men during World War 2.
The Second World War lasted from 1939 to 1945, which involved most of the world 's nations, organized into two opposing military alliances: The Allies and the Axis. It is considered the most extensive war, with more than 100 million armed forces assembled. The Allied forces placed their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the service of the war effort, destroying the difference between civilian and military resources. It was the deadliest conflict in human history (Reference), which resulted in over 70 million fatalities caused by military action against civilians, the Holocaust and the use of nuclear weapons in warfare. This essay concerns itself with why and how the allies won the Second World War. Joachim von