Character Study on General George Patton

Patton was a third generation offspring of a wealthy military family. Although he suffered with dyslexia, he graduated from West Point in 1909.

During WW II, he commanded the Seventh Army in Sicily and later the Third Army in France and Germany.

Patton attained the rank of General (4 stars) and died in Germany on December 21,1945, at the age of 65 as a result of an auto accident.

Positive reputation – Patton was considered by Eisenhower and Marshall to be the best field tank commander in the U. S. Army.

Value to the team – Patton had a special gift for assessing the circumstances and devising a plan to meet the challenge rather than devising a plan and trying to make the circumstances fit the plan.

D  I   S   C

Character traits:

Extremely aggressive and competitive Gifted at improvising with what he had Very direct Hated the status quo Egocentric and ostentatious Master at adapting to the situation Outspoken Impetuous Dashing, with flair Talked with boldness Self-promoting Unpredictable Explosive, profane emotion At times, tactless and sarcastic

What others said about George Patton:

 Dwight Eisenhower – “When I proposed Patton as my choice to command a tank division, the command headquarters staff flatly rejected the idea because of his bizarre mannerisms. Such doubts had no influence with me because of my confidence in his fighting heart and my conviction that he would prove effective in leadership of combat troops. I proposed the idea to Marshall and he agreed with me and that’s all I needed.”

Omar Bradley – “My feelings on George were mixed since he was my commander in Sicily... I thought he might have a problem accepting the reversal in roles... however he soon caused me to repent those uncharitable reservations for he not only bore me no ill will, but showed unbounded loyalty and eagerness.”

Bernard Montgomery – Respected Patton and would not permit anything derogatory to be printed about him in the newspapers of the British Eighth Army.

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