Posted on Jan 30, 2015
Do you think Gen Patton would have survived today’s Army?
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In early August 1943, Lieutenant General George S. Patton garnered substantial controversy after he slapped two United States Army soldiers under his command during the Sicily Campaign of World War II. Patton's hard-driving personality and lack of belief in the medical condition then known as "battle fatigue" led to the soldiers becoming the subject of his ire in incidents on 3 and 10 August, when Patton struck and berated them after discovering they were patients at evacuation hospitals away from the front lines and without apparent physical injuries.
Word of the incidents spread among troops, eventually reaching Patton's superior, General Dwight Eisenhower, who compelled him to apologize. Patton's actions were initially suppressed in the news until journalist Drew Pearson publicized them, drawing significant attention in the United States. While Congress and the general public expressed both support and disdain for Patton's actions, Eisenhower and Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall opted not to fire Patton as a commander. He was nonetheless sidelined from combat command for almost a year.
Seizing the opportunity the predicament presented, Eisenhower used Patton as a decoy in Operation Fortitude, sending faulty intelligence to Nazi German agents that Patton was leading the Invasion of Europe. While Patton eventually returned to combat command in the European Theater in mid-1944, the slapping incidents were an example to Eisenhower, Marshall, and other leaders of Patton's brashness and impulsiveness
Gen. Patton earned the reputation of having a uniquely gifted military mind, immense energy and a penchant for being blunt. During the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, when the German Ardennes Offensive threatened to swallow up a surrounded American division at Bastogne, Patton pushed his men through mud and snow and relieved Bastogne on Dec. 26, 1944.
Good leaders help their people achieve greatness, even during hardships. It’s important to push your employees to meet their goals and advance their career.
Word of the incidents spread among troops, eventually reaching Patton's superior, General Dwight Eisenhower, who compelled him to apologize. Patton's actions were initially suppressed in the news until journalist Drew Pearson publicized them, drawing significant attention in the United States. While Congress and the general public expressed both support and disdain for Patton's actions, Eisenhower and Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall opted not to fire Patton as a commander. He was nonetheless sidelined from combat command for almost a year.
Seizing the opportunity the predicament presented, Eisenhower used Patton as a decoy in Operation Fortitude, sending faulty intelligence to Nazi German agents that Patton was leading the Invasion of Europe. While Patton eventually returned to combat command in the European Theater in mid-1944, the slapping incidents were an example to Eisenhower, Marshall, and other leaders of Patton's brashness and impulsiveness
Gen. Patton earned the reputation of having a uniquely gifted military mind, immense energy and a penchant for being blunt. During the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, when the German Ardennes Offensive threatened to swallow up a surrounded American division at Bastogne, Patton pushed his men through mud and snow and relieved Bastogne on Dec. 26, 1944.
Good leaders help their people achieve greatness, even during hardships. It’s important to push your employees to meet their goals and advance their career.
Posted in these groups: 
Leadership
Subordinates
Leadership Subordinates
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 14
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To put it in perspective; Today's Army would not have survived General Patton!
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Cpl Jeff N.
What should really concern us is that generals like Patton and Puller would not recognize or fit into the military they served in if they came back to today. They did not change, the military has, not the mission of the military but a lot of the social conditions. Not all bad but far too much of it is not contributing to the execution of the mission.
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He really didn't survive the WWII army! He was moved around despite being in the height of his career. They tricked the Germans into thinking he was going to lead the invasion of Calais which is why they massed forces there instead of Normandy.
It was tough Eisenhower to have to deal with him but he knew how good Patton was. Definitely one of my favorite generals. Recently there is a book about a conspiracy that since Patton wanted to attack the Soviets (he despised Communism) that he was killed and it was framed as a car accident. Interesting theory. We may never know!
Interesting tidbit, at West Point, his statue faces the library. While he was a cadet he failed his plebe (freshman) year. Rumor has it he never stepped foot in the library, which is why they had him facing the library. Pretty funny.
It was tough Eisenhower to have to deal with him but he knew how good Patton was. Definitely one of my favorite generals. Recently there is a book about a conspiracy that since Patton wanted to attack the Soviets (he despised Communism) that he was killed and it was framed as a car accident. Interesting theory. We may never know!
Interesting tidbit, at West Point, his statue faces the library. While he was a cadet he failed his plebe (freshman) year. Rumor has it he never stepped foot in the library, which is why they had him facing the library. Pretty funny.
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SFC (Join to see)
Interesting fact Sir. But we may also agree, the he was a Great Military Leader. I'm asking this question, because now with the new rules, regulations and policies. I was wondering if could adapt to todays Army.
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While I am a huge Patton fan, it saddens me to know that he would not be able to cope in today's Army. The "me first" generation of soldiers would have undone the Wrath of Patton. He would not understand cell phone and Facebook and Instagram; basically the need to post your life on social media. Patton is one of the great military minds, ever, period. I would have loved to hear his input on how we, as an Army, should face the insurgency. Definitely a voice I would like to hear on that topic, and others, such as out withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, the resurgence of he insurgents in Iraq, just to name a few topics, I would value his opinion on.
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