[39][40] If his assertion was correct, Patton would likely have won an Olympic medal in the event. "[228], As media scrutiny on Patton increased, his bluntness stirred controversy. [13], Patton graduated number 46 out of 103 cadets at West Point on June 11, 1909,[14] and received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Cavalry branch of the United States Army. [196] His final media blowup occurred in September 1945, when goaded by reporters about denazification, he said "[d]enazification would be like removing all the Republicans and all the Democrats who were in office, who had held office or were quasi-Democrats or Republicans and that would take some time." He ordered more landings on August 10 by the 3rd Infantry Division, which took heavy casualties but pushed the German forces back, and hastened the advance on Messina. He married Beatrice Banning Ayer on 25 May 1910, in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, United States. Patton's chief of staff, Major General Hobart Gay, invited him on a December 9, 1945 pheasant hunting trip near Speyer to lift his spirits. She was a fine writer complyling three books. Patton was dissatisfied with MacArthur's conduct, as he recognized the legitimacy of the veterans' complaints and had himself earlier refused to issue the order to employ armed force to disperse the veterans. Patton, Beatrice Banning Ayer, 1886-1953. 1994, pages 35. His philosophy of leading from the front, and his ability to inspire troops with attention-getting, vulgarity-laden speeches, such as his famous address to the Third Army, was received favorably by his troops, but much less so by a sharply divided Allied high command. He exercised unique leadership by his ability to obtain the utmostsome would say more than the maximumresponse from American combat troops. Some of his biographers are skeptical. [227] When speaking, he was known for his bluntness and witticism; he once said, "The two most dangerous weapons the Germans have are our own armored halftrack and jeep. [187] Patton later boasted he had urinated into the river as he crossed. President Woodrow Wilson forbade the expedition from conducting aggressive patrols deeper into Mexico, so it remained encamped in the Mexican border states for much of that time. <br><br>I am passionate about working in my community and giving back wherever possible. In the interwar period, Patton became a central figure in the development of the army's armored warfare doctrine, serving in numerous staff positions throughout the country. [19], The Patton family was of English, Irish, Scots-Irish, Scottish, French and Welsh ancestry. General Henri Giraud was incredulous when he heard of Patton's dismissal by Eisenhower in late 1945, and invited him to Paris to be decorated by French President, Charles de Gaulle, at a state banquet. When Patton married Beatrice Banning Ayer in 1910, his considerably wealthier father-in-law put him on the family payroll and subsidized a coddled military career, complete with traveling. [160] The Third Army typically employed forward scout units to determine enemy strength and positions. Beatrice Banning Ayer was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, the daughter of Frederick Ayer, an industrialist who. [155] So strong was their conviction that this was the main landing area that the German army held its position there even after the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, believing it to be a diversionary force. [45] Arriving in September 1913, he taught fencing to other cavalry officers, many of whom were senior to him in rank. [50] Patton remained in Mexico until the end of the year. Patton was given temporary duty in Washington D.C. that year to serve on a committee writing a manual on tank operations. "[207], When he faced questions from the press about his reluctance to denazify post-war Germany, Patton noted that most of the people with experience in infrastructure management had been compelled to join the party in the war. Anyhow, they are dead, so nothing can be done about it. [251] Other Allied commanders were more impressed, the Free French in particular. [172] The German commander of Metz, General Hermann Balck, also noted that a more direct attack would have resulted in a more decisive Allied victory in the city. [66] While in a hospital for jaundice, Patton met Colonel Fox Conner, who encouraged him to work with tanks instead of infantry. I have nothing but the best in my army. He was also frequently in disagreement with Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr. and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. though often then conceding, to their relief, in line with Bradley's view.[132]. [140], Patton's niece Jean Gordon spent some time together with him in London in 1944, and in Bavaria in 1945. Patton believed he had former lives as a soldier and took pride in mystical ties with his ancestors. He can be a Nigger or a Jew, but if he has the stuff and does his duty, he can have anything I've got. [254], Referring to the escape of the Afrika Korps after the Battle of El Alamein, Fritz Bayerlein opined that "I do not think that General Patton would let us get away so easily. Born in 1885, Patton attended the Virginia Military Institute and the United States Military Academy at West Point. [7] Frederick Ayer (1888-1969) [8] [9] Mary Katherine "Kay" Ayer (1890-1981). Mother of Beatrice "Bee" Patton; Ruth Ellen "Nell" Patton; Maj. Gen. George Smith Patton, IV and Private [81], Patton stopped at a rear command post to submit his report before heading to a hospital. . Patton reported this attempt to liberate Oflag XIII-B as the only mistake he made during World War II. He took big risks and won big successes. He would reprise the role in 1986 in the made-for-television film The Last Days of Patton. [130][131], Patton's conduct in this campaign met with several controversies. "[176] Patton then argued that his Third Army should attack toward Koblenz, cutting off the bulge at the base and trap the entirety of the German armies involved in the offensive. [253], While Allied leaders expressed mixed feelings on Patton's capabilities, the German High Command was noted to have more respect for him than for any other Allied commander after 1943. Name Components. Patton developed phlebitis from the injury, which nearly killed him. [241], On February 1, 1945, Eisenhower wrote a memo ranking the military capabilities of his subordinate American generals in Europe. Following General Dwight Eisenhower's return to the United States to become the Chief of Staff of the US Army, Patton was appointed interim commander of US Army Europe on November 11th, 1945. Ellen Barrows Banning Ayer (1853-1918) BIBLIOGRAPHY. Beatrice had many talents. After the tragic death of her husband in 1945, Mrs. Patton became a forceful and persuasive speaker advocating universal military training. [170], The halt of the Third Army during the month of September was enough to allow the Germans to strengthen the fortress of Metz. [184] To obtain these, Third Army ordnance units passed themselves off as First Army personnel and in one incident they secured thousands of gallons of gasoline from a First Army dump. An award-winning biographical film released in 1970, Patton, helped popularize his image. Fresno County. Beatrice Banning Ayer looked like a child standing next to George S. Patton Jr. when they met in the summer of 1902. [124][125], For Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, Patton was to command the Seventh United States Army, dubbed the Western Task Force, in landings at Gela, Scoglitti and Licata to support landings by General Sir Bernard Montgomery's British Eighth Army. Martin Blumenson, Patton, George Smith in John Garraty, ed., Encyclopedia of American Biography (1974) p 839. [190] On April 14, 1945, Patton was promoted to general, a promotion long advocated by Stimson in recognition of Patton's battle accomplishments during 1944. [1] There was not a single incident of a protest or any unsportsmanlike quibbling or fighting for points which I may say, marred some of the other civilian competitions at the Olympic Games. Historians such as Charles Whiting have criticized this strategy as unnecessarily aggressive. He also stated that performance was more important than race or religious affiliation: I don't give a damn who the man is. He was an admirer of Admiral Horatio Nelson for his actions in leading the Battle of Trafalgar in a full dress uniform. This has led . During this time he developed a belief that tanks should be used not as infantry support, but rather as an independent fighting force. He then relinquished command of II Corps to Bradley, and returned to the I Armored Corps in Casablanca to help plan Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily. [63] He returned from the expedition permanently in February 1917. During the Allied occupation of Germany, Patton was named military governor of Bavaria, but was relieved for making aggressive statements towards the Soviet Union and trivializing denazification. Patton's rapid drive to Lorraine demonstrated his keen appreciation for the technological advantages of the U.S. Army. Patton then returned to Saumur to learn advanced techniques before bringing his skills to the Mounted Service School at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he would be both a student and a fencing instructor. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. "[178] Patton then clarified that he had already worked up an operational order for a counterattack by three full divisions on December 21, then only 48 hours away. [198] Showalter believes that Patton, under severe physical and psychological stress, made up claims of sexual conquest to prove his virility. [15][16], At age 24, Patton married Beatrice Banning Ayer, the daughter of Boston industrialist Frederick Ayer, on May 26, 1910, in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts. His jeep bore oversized rank placards on the front and back, as well as a klaxon horn which would loudly announce his approach from afar. "[196] Unhappy with his position and depressed by his belief that he would never fight in another war, Patton's behavior and statements became increasingly erratic. Soon thereafter, he had Major General Omar Bradley reassigned to his corps as its deputy commander. But his army was part of a whole organization and his operations part of a great campaign. [86], In July 1921 Patton became a member of the American Legion Tank Corps Post No. [52][222] He was usually seen wearing a highly polished helmet, riding pants, and high cavalry boots. The division was one of few organized as a heavy formation with many tanks, and Patton was in charge of its training. She met George Patton for the first time as children. She unsheathed one of the swords and chased "Saber George" around the room, cursing with expletives that should have made her warrior husband proud. On December 16, 1944, it massed 29 divisions totaling 250,000 men at a weak point in the Allied lines, and during the early stages of the ensuing Battle of the Bulge, made significant headway towards the Meuse River during a severe winter. [59] His initial combat experience came on May 14, 1916, in what would become the first motorized attack in the history of U.S. warfare. Help us build our profile of Beatrice Banning Ayer! 100 San Leandro, CA, 94577 Phone: (510) 352-9200. [93] In August 1923, Patton saved several children from drowning when they fell off a yacht during a boating trip off Salem, Massachusetts. [25] The first Patton in America was Robert Patton, born in Ayr, Scotland. [33] In late 1911, Patton was transferred to Fort Myer, Virginia, where many of the Army's senior leaders were stationed. He was cadet sergeant major during his junior year, and the cadet adjutant his senior year. By the end of the battle, the 200,000-man Seventh Army had suffered 7,500 casualties, and killed or captured 113,000 Axis troops and destroyed 3,500 vehicles. He was very bold and preferred large movements. Patton's great oratory skill is seen as integral to his ability to inspire troops under his command. . In peacetime, though, he would remain a colonel to remain eligible to command a regiment. Sep 1885 - Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts, Sep 30 1953 - Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts, Jan 12 1886 - Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA, Sep 30 1953 - Hamilton, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA, Jan 12 1886 - Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA, Sep 30 1953 - Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA, Beatrice A Patton, Ruth Ellen Patton, George Smith Iv Patton, Sep 1885 - Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA, Beatrice A Patton, Gen George Smith Patton, Frederick Fanning Ayer, Ellen Barrows Ayer, Ellen Wheaton Wood, James Cook Ayer, Charles Fanning Ayer, Louise Raynor Ayer, Frederick Ayer, Mary Katherine Merrill, Beatrice Smith Waters, Ruth Ellen Totten, George Smith Patton, Jan 12 1886 - Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States of America, Sep 30 1953 - Hamilton, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States of America, Frederick Albert Ayer, Ellen Barrows Ayer (born Banning), Ellen Wheaton Ayer, James Cook Ayer, Charles Fanning Ayer, Louise Raynor Ayer, Frederick Ayer, Mary Katherine Merrill (born Ayer), Beatrice Ayer Waters (born Patton), Ruth Ellen Totlen (born Patton), George Smith (General) Patton, William The Conqueror (Willie) Patton, Jan 12 1886 / Sept 1885 - Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, Sep 30 1953 - Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, Frederick Ayer, Ellen Barrows Ayer (born Banning), Beatrice "bee" Patton, Ruth Ellen Patton, George Smith Patton, Beatrice Waters (born Patton), Ruth Ellen Totten (born Patton), Maj. Gen. George Smith Patton, Jan 12 1886 - Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts, Sep 30 1953 - Hamilton, Essex County, Massachusetts, Beatrice Patton, Ruth Ellen Totten (born Patton, Iii), Major-gen George S. Patton, Iv, Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, Pasadena, Los Angeles, California, United States, Hamilton, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, Hamilton, Essex county , Massachusetts, United States of America, Birth of Maj. Gen. George Smith Patton, IV.