What, if any, is your opinion of GEN Patton?

2023-08-18T03:47:55-04:00

More specifically the reports and recorded history of his actions and behavior in the time period between the end of the war and his death.

Is it possible he may have suffered from TBI? Or is it more likely that adversaries were exaggerating or fabricating stories to discredit him?. Or was Gen. Pattons mental state possibly more deteriorated than what was reported, and Gen. Eisenhower was successful in covering the bulk of it up?

I am not seeking any replies that are intended to disrespect or discredit Gen. Patton in any way. I am only seeking others perception of the recorded history. So word your replies accordingly please.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2023 12:01 PM

2023-08-18T12:01:32-04:00

His death was an unfortunate coincidence that aided to his legend had time been allowed to further observe his character and leadership decisions.

My grandfather hated him, and he was a veteran of WWII and a 32 year career WO.

Regardless, his results are clear, and benefited the war effort tremendously.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 18 at 2023 2:23 PM

2023-08-18T14:23:07-04:00

How many great US General's had bad and often undeserved reputations? Grant was labeled a drunk and a butcher, Sherman a terrorist, rapist and criminal. Only in my lifetime have these men been given the credit they deserve.
I am of the opinion that Patton was the Best General the US Army produced during WWII, Yes, he was a Prima Dona and a publicity hound, but when turned loose, he produced results and ,realistically, his methods probably produced few American casualties than his contemporaries. Differences in attitudes toward the Military leadership of different countries played a part. I don't think that Patton or any other American General would have survived if he commanded Market Garden. The Brit's knighted Montgomery.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Aug 18 at 2023 3:15 PM

2023-08-18T15:15:30-04:00

Yes, the right man at the right time. From what I've read of Gen. Patton, he was a man who longed for a place in military history, a place equal to that of his historical heroes. His greatest desire was to command an army in combat, and he packed the talent to achieve this goal. Market Garden was mentioned in other comments. Would it have had greater success had Patton been in command, an audacious leader, but more importantly a better strategist and tactician. I think he would have come up with a better plan than Montgomery, whose plan, while audacious, was flawed. I say this of course in hindsight. But I think that a Patton plan would have had greater chance of success than Montgomery's. Again, I say this in hindsight.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2023 5:21 PM

2023-08-18T17:21:42-04:00

Overrated. Good example of the Peter principle

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2023 7:14 PM

2023-08-18T19:14:07-04:00

The issue at hand is that there is no one alive that personally knew Patton. Those that did, and wrote books about it....you have to consider that they wrote from their point of view. All we can do is perceive and interpret what they wrote. Ego? Certainly. Results provided? Most definitely. Did he rub people the wrong way? Again, many a story tells that's a yes. Again, I can only go off what I read and hear.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Aug 18 at 2023 7:48 PM

2023-08-18T19:48:16-04:00

I Have Absolutely NOTHING Derogatory To Say,
I Really Loved Patton
But If You Don't Allow Those Manner Of Comments To Be Posted,
You're NOT Asking For Honest Comments...
To Me, It Would Appear, Similar To A Promotional...
Same Would Apply To "IKE"...

Response by SPC James McCullough made Aug 18 at 2023 9:40 PM

2023-08-18T21:40:16-04:00

So many great and appreciated replies. However, I am under the impression that there may be no more insight to gain into General Pattons mental condition at the end of the war. Wether he did suffer from TBI as a result of being thrown from a horse. Wether he was suffering from post war depression. Whether he was devastated by the meaningless command Gen. Eisenhower had appointed him. Or perhaps was he genuinely concerned with the Russians and the way the situation was being handled. It is easy to determine that if higher command would have given him orders to oust Russian forces from Berlin that Gen. Patton would have driven Russians past the Carpathian Mountains before anyone got him stopped. Of any of this, I am now convinced we may never know. So I will take comfort in knowing that Gen. Patton was a damn fine planner, tactician and American who came to be at a time when his Country needed someone like “Old Blood &Guts”. RIP Sir.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 19 at 2023 8:02 AM

2023-08-19T08:02:30-04:00

General Paton was a Warrior and a hero. He was the leader that this country, and frankly the world needed him to be. What ever path he was on in his later years no one will ever truly know, we all simply need to be thankful for his actions as a Soldier.

This is not unlike the rest of history, we can rare apart those actions of man based on todays ideologies, or we can understand the ideology of the times and yet appreciate how we as a nation maneuvered that space.

Evolution is positive, learning from our past is necessary, respecting what our ancestors dealt with is key to understanding ourselves.

When one of us can stand and state that they are not flawed I will praise thee. Not realy.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Aug 19 at 2023 11:16 AM

2023-08-19T11:16:33-04:00

Those interested in our great military leaders of WWII should look at 28 July 1932 for GEN MacArthur, COL Patton, and MAJ Eisenhower.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 21 at 2023 10:14 AM

2023-08-21T10:14:02-04:00

General Patton was unique. He was a mix of old era values in regards to warfare but he also adapted to the evolution of Modern Warfare that occurred during WWI and WWII. He had first hand observation of warfare going from horseback and bolt action rifles to mechanized warfare and semi auto and full auto small arms. He just like his famous cousin Chesty Puller had a disdain for General Officers who led from the rear instead of being at the front making decisions in Realtime that had major impacts on battlefield efficiency.

His tenacious manor also caused some rifts with his colleagues. He was a force of nature and there was little room for discussion which could definitely be up for critique. He like many had a distorted and inaccurate view when it came to what we currently know as PTSD. Back then they viewed it merely as battle fatigue and thought a little rest would resolve the issue. Patton famously struck a solider who was in a field hospital for battle fatigue and labeled the man a coward. Patton received some flak for it but it was a small bump in the road as bigger things were happening at that time. Patton was an excellent leader in War but I doubt he would have survived in the Modern Military.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 24 at 2023 6:31 PM

2023-08-24T18:31:32-04:00

I think that Gen Patton did an excellent job of emulating his hero, Stonewall Jackson. He fought like Jackson. He was a master of maneuver. Did he piss of a lot of people? Yes, those who were less competent. Was he unwarrantedly acerbic? No, he was often frustrated. His allies were often far greater obstacles than his enemies. Bottom line: I would have rather served under him than any other.

Response by Amn Dale Preisach made Aug 24 at 2023 7:31 PM

2023-08-24T19:31:58-04:00

It's the Press turning on him at any given opportunity. Most every general had their personality.. just like any leader of Persons.
Gen Patton just was upfront about it. The Press glommed on to this and to boost circulation of their news outlet, set up Patton with questions and slams they knew would get a colorful soundbite / make the article more juicy.
They would never have done that to Pershing or Nimitz . And both of those persons had their own quirks. EvenTruman in WWI made the men in his command shine the bottom soles of their boots.
Patton was a General with over the top ideology. Much like Custer, Sherman, And Mosby ,... Patton had that charisma where you either liked him or thought him a show boat of a commander.

Response by PO3 Robert Wallick made Aug 25 at 2023 3:06 PM

2023-08-25T15:06:32-04:00

A man for his time as all of us who served knows there are a lot of characters in the military with agendas some self serving and some who do the right things for their fellow countrymen issue the right orders and obey orders for the good of the situation and overall picture its a fine line we walk

Response by LCpl Michael Oconnell made Sep 23 at 2023 10:52 PM

2023-09-23T22:52:59-04:00

He drove the WW1 Veteran s out of DC as a Capt. , in a brutall manner without respect for the soldiers that won that war. And shortly thereafter he became a Major. He gets no "Respect" from me ,What a traitor to his own kind. Typical power hunger officer.

Response by SPC Russell T. Andrews made Sep 26 at 2023 3:03 PM

2023-09-26T15:03:47-04:00

He got results and understood honor and duty above and below his pay grade.Period!

Response by SFC Richard Baerlocher made Oct 9 at 2023 5:18 PM

2023-10-09T17:18:34-04:00

I met one of the officers that was an aide to General Patton at the start of WWII. when he moved his armor from Ft Knox to Ft Dix, New Jersey, there was a Provost Marshal that blocked General Pattons tank. he got out of his jeep and yelled at that tank for the tank commander to get out of the tank "You Son of a Bitch"! General Patton was in the tank, and he got out and immediatly reduce the Provost Ma\rshal from a full Colonel to a Lieutenant, and put him on his own staff. General Patton was an enlisted mans general.