Patton : Man, Warrior, General

This is a rhetorical analysis of Lieutenant General George S. Patton’s Speech to the Third United States Army. It was a very successful speech given to the troops of the United States Third Army in 1944 before the invasion of France. After examining the genre, purpose of this speech, General Patton’s audience, and how General Patton used ethos, logos, and pathos we can see why this iconic speech was so successful.

General George S. Patton was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel California. He was raised in a military family and throughout his early life, he was constantly hearing stories about the Civil War. He started his military journey at the Virginia Military Institute and a year later, on June 11, 1909 he was transferred to West Point. While attending West Point, he met Beatrice Ayer which later became his wife on May 26th 1910. After graduation, he was assigned to the 15th Cavalry Regiment. Lieutenant Patton represented US at the 1912 Olympics and finished 5th on Modern Pentathlon after a mediocre shooting event. The year later he was awarded Master of Sword at the French Cavalry School.

There are a number of qualities that quantify good leaderships and good leaders. According to Kouzes and Posner in their book The Leadership Challenge, all successful leaders have (5) practices in common. They “Model the Way”, “Inspire a shared vision”, “Challenge the process”, “enable others to act” and “encourage the heart”(15). Never is there a more important time to have exemplary leadership, than in a time of war. Both the American Civil War and World War II showed what was possible through good leadership. From abolishing slavery and preserving the Union, to fighting tyranny and oppression abroad, both events in American history had a profound impact on all those involved. The impact would most certainly be different if not for the leadership of Colonel Lawrence Chamberlain of the Union Army during the Civil War and General George S. Patton during World War II. Both leaders possessed the 5 practices essential for god leadership, yet both leaders to different approaches to accomplish their goals.

From humble beginnings to the mentioning of his name under the same breath as FDR, Ernie Pyle, the “common man”, shaped the propaganda of WWI. His writing saved the public’s perception of the war, Families questioning why their loved ones were dying like dogs in foxholes across Europe. That is the key to, in Europe, not on home soil. The battle had been taken to the United States with the attack on Pearl Harbor, but keeping support up for a full scale invasion in a foreign land would take some serious pro war marketing. But here was Ernie Pyle, all 5’8 and 140lbs of his frame, reinforcing the belief of Americans that we were fighting for the right reasons. Pyle brought a connection from the battlefield to the homes of everyday citizens, a glimpse into a nightmare only the present could fathom. On some level Ernie needed the US military and they certainly needed him. The war gave Pyle content to reach the largest audience he ever commanded, and a chance to explore the world

In 1944, the United States war effort in Europe was just starting to pick up. Even though the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred just three years prior, the growing power of the Third Reich could not be ignored. During this time, France was already occupied by Nazi Germany and Hitler's war machine was on the path of conquering all of Eurasia. In an attempt to combat this immense threat, the U.S. formulated a plan to engage the German forces through an invasion of Normandy. This bloody offensive would be remembered in infamy as D-Day. Shortly before this violent clash of U.S. and German forces, the inexperienced men of the United States Third Army was given an encouraging and inspiring speech by the four star general George S. Patton.

The United States declares war on April 6, 1917, three years after it began. Five months later, 26-year-old George Lorne signs up in East St. Louis. He is 5’11” with blue eyes, brown hair, and a fair complexion. Within a month, he is raised to the rank of corporal. Sent overseas to join the fighting on the Western Front against the Germans, George’s unit is involved in the Meuse Argonne offensive in September and October of 1918. (L398) (L399)

Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; Ffor the very idea of losing is hateful to an American(paragraph #).” This section of the speechquote exemplifies that Patton is using American appeals to conjure up motivation into the troops because so they can feel more encouraged and willing to fight and possibly die by the fact that all Americans are winners and hate to lose. All Americans are the best and real men who like to fight, Patton does this to make the troops want to win. He makes them feel like it’s in their identity and blood to win, he wants them to have the courage and perseverance to win. Also Patton later conjures the image of the comic book superman, He Man, to encourage all men to tap into their own super powers. on says “ Americans pride themselves on being He Men and they ARE He Men. He validates their own superiority by stating, “Remember that the enemy is just as frightened as you are, and probably more so. They are not supermen.” Patton says this to further explain that Americans are winners and they will win this war. Patton is trying to inspire these soldiers by also lowering their reputation of the enemy saying

Patton was in charge of a fake army set up in southern France to be used as a diversion. He

Throughout Patton’s speech, harsh and foul language is used abundantly. The speech begins with Patton identifying the American public opinion of not wanting to enter the war. Patton refuses this and establishes Americans as wanting to fight, and instilling American pride into his audience. Patton then addresses the men’s fears of dying and killing but shadows it with their duty to country, and honor to their manhood. The speech then moves to the importance of being a team and how every man has a crucial part to play, whether it be a truck driver or infantryman. Patton then feels the need to quickly remind everyone that his presence in England is to remain a secret. After this, he reinstates the mission and why they are here. They are here to defeat the Germans in Europe, then move

George Patton was a decorated U.S World War II general. Throughout the war he was called upon to win important battles. Patton was an extremely aggressive in his battle tactics, which gave him the ability to win battles that other generals could not. Patton was born into a family with a long military history, Patton decided to carry on that tradition and graduate from West Point in 1909. Patton saw his first battle experience during World War I when he led cavalry troops against Mexican forces. Patton continued his career in WWII and had a very important role. Due to George Patton’s tactics to liberate Nazi territory, he able to win crucial battles and push the Germans back to defeat Hitler.

There is one scene where the three flag raisers entered a crowded stadium before a football game which typified how an image of war can be so different to the reality of war. The flash photography, the cheering, the roar of the crowd all went to John Bradley’s head and he had flash backs of the fighting on Iwo Jima and the genuine heroes that he had left behind. This scene contrasts what the reality of war, were all the men are dug in and fighting for there life, and the images of war. Ira Hayes says “I know it’s a good thing, raising the money and that, ‘cause we need it. But, I can’t take them calling me a hero. All I did was try not to get shot. Some of the things I saw done, things I did, they weren’t things to be proud of, you know?” Clint Eastwood shows continuously, through his characters physiology shows how one single photo can be so different what really makes up the battle of Iwo Jima. The aim was to get war bonds; the minds of the three main characters through Clint Eastwood’s directing showed a strong insight to how the reality of a war and an image of war can be so contrasting.

In the movie, Patton, his speech brought on several emotions response for me, ranging from surprise to a surge of energy and pride. These rapid changes in emotions came from his rather unorthodox speech, in which Patton would go from talking as if he were an angry coach, to a proud father. The speech I believe did it’s job in inspiring the men to fight as I attempted to place myself in the shoes of the soldiers about to go off and face the world’s greatest threat, the Axis powers. I believe this inspiration was drawn from several powerful images and points that Patton conveyed to his men throughout the speech. The first being his recollection of childhood, in which the people we looked up to were champions, winners, and that was what U.S. military needed to be. As children we all dream of being a hero one day, somehow saving the day from evil. Patton used this desire to basically say, you have the

He was also well known for his controversy and ability to rally the troops. His speech to the third army was given June 5th, 1944 which was the eve of the allied invasion of Europe. It was a chance for Patton to shine as a general.He knew he would have to construct a speech for which listeners and future readers would be struck by his harsh style, while incorporating his unstinting dependence of profanity. But we must not be led to believe that Patton had not carefully rehearsed every word, chosen precisely for its desired persuasive effect. Patton 's address to the Third Army repays attentive examination, and, when the problems it is designed to address are identified, its brilliance and influence will become apparent. Yet, raising soldier’s moral raises a challenge: should a speech be a formal, incorporating articulate words and sentence structure, or should it be vulgar and rife with profanities?

Leadership is as a simple idea and concept of influencing others to accomplish the mission by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. Many say that leadership takes charisma or that some are natural born leaders; others may even add that leadership stems from a relationship of bestowing and taking from other leaders and followers. For George S. Patton, General and leader of troops he was a fearless transformational leadership that inspirited his Third army to achieve the impossible. Not every form of leadership can can command the fear and instant obedience of a U.S. Army general.

Ever since I was young boy I always loved watching the movie Patton, it was kind of odd for a boy of ten years old to love such a wonder full movie that was made for adults. It was all due to my great uncle telling me how he served with General George S Patton commonly known as “old blood and guts”. One of my favorite quotes from the move was said by General Patton, portrayed be George C Scott in which he said: “Thirty years from now, when you're sitting around your fireside with your grandson on your knee and he asks you, "What did you do in the great World War II," you won't have to say, "Well... I shoveled shit in Louisiana.” (Scott) The 1970 movie Patton was a very big success due to the talents