Leadership Analysis of George S. Patton, Jr. Chase W. Seegmiller Western Kentucky

COL Paul Freeman had a long history of military experience in Asia, to which many attribute much of his success during this battle. As the son of a military doctor, he grew up in

His Speech to the Third Army starts off in an almost lighthearted tone, “Men, all this stuff you hear about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of bullshit. Americans love to fight” (1). This general mood is kept throughout Patton's speech, including an excess of profanity. Unlike a formal address to a similarly large audience, Patton's way of speaking and structure of words is akin to that of close friends, or soldiers talking in the barracks. As Patton continues to speak, he frequently brings up the importance of a team and the role a soldier has as unit. Even if you are the lowest on the totem pole, he believed that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. If every man did his job with the

General Patton did an outstanding job demonstrating the four of the six steps of Mission Command during the Battle of the Bulge. The forces that General Patton led were subjected to a stern leadership and instilled tighter discipline than any other American field forces in World War II. General Patton lived by a few principles daily and one of those include a quote he made of his own “say what you mean, and mean what you say.” An example of his quote he enforced in his soldiers that he made sure that regulations concerning uniforms were rigidly enforced, and on many occasions he imposed fines or other punishments when he found his men on front lines violating the rules he

George Armstrong Custer was a United States cavalry officer who served with distinction in the American Civil War and was the youngest ever brevet brigadier general at age twenty-three (History.com Staff, 2009). Custer had various disciplinary issues throughout his career ranging from abandoning his post for romantic reasons to leaving the field without searching for a slain reconnaissance unit (History.com Staff, 2009). His expedition in 1874 that led to the discovery of gold, was in violation of the treaty of 1868 wherein the Black Hills were recognized to belong to the Sioux Nation. Custer was known to have a reckless temperament and was often at odds with superior officers. Nevertheless, as a Lieutenant Colonel assigned to the Seventh Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Riley, Kansas, Custer was tasked to lead the force against Sitting Bull’s alliance (History.com Staff, 2009).

George Patton was born in San Gabriel, California in 1885.His father as an officer in the US army so he moved around a lot.George was very intelligent and ambitious but had trouble in school.Since he couldn’t read until the age of 12, some wondered if he had dyslexia.Patton was trying to go to a College called West Point but all openings were filled.He then went to Virginia Military Institute.After only one year at the Institute, there was now a spot open at West point.His math skills had improved within a year and George Patton graduated in 1909.

     When I asked him if he experienced any combat he said; “yes, I experienced some combat. But most of the time I spent in combat was in a tank. Not too much action there.”

ended up serving in World War I as the commander of an artillery battle. Upon his return

Although at first glance General George S. Patton is anything but creative, if you think about it, he is one of the most creative people of all time. Both his battle strategies and speeches were creative, bold, and extremely powerful. Each of his speeches, particularly his speech to the Third Army, are some of the most powerful and motivated I have read. Each and every speech he spoke riled his troops and made them want to crush the Nazis and win the war. Many people dislike Patton and his speeches because of his vulgar language, but there is no denying the effect the speeches had on the troops who served under him and the power in each word he spoke. http://www.wjpbr.com/patton.html

At a young age George S. Patton knew he wanted to be in the military. His ancestors had served in the American Revolution, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. (Randall and Nahr iii) This is largely the reason behind his intense determination and drive. Fueled off their tales of bravery and heroic endeavors, he never had a doubt that he was going to live the life of a military hero. Despite a learning disability, many believe he had dyslexia, he would go onto to attend the Virginia Military Institute and ultimately graduate from West Point. Upon his graduation he achieved the rank of 2nd lieutenant and was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. The years after his graduation were eventful for George Patton. He participated in the 1912 Olympics in a variety of sports. He trained in fencing in France and was

McClellan's first military action was in the Mexican-American war. He frequently complained that he was too late to join in on the American victory. While in Mexico, he received many medals and awards for his services as a brave engineer. He received much experience on the battlefield and it helped his military performance. After the war, he performed 'peacetime service,' training young cadets at West Point, working on the construction of a fort, and surveying land for the Transcontinental Railroad.

He first saw action in Florida against the Seminole Indians. However, he was not involved in the Mexican-American war like most of his contemporaries. As a result of this he quit in 1853, then joined his brother in the banking industry.

General John J. Pershing was a general during the Spanish-American War. Before he was a general, he went to West Point(a military prep academy) where he went on to be the highest rank you could be as a cadet. Afterwards, he went on to be an instructor at the academy. General was praised for being one of the most calm, brave men when under fire. During the Spanish-American War he was made commander and sent on the journey to Mexico to capture Pancho Villa. Even though his mission was unsuccessful, he was still recognized as a great public figure. He rose to general because after the Philippine–American war President Roosevelt ordered him home, and put in a petition that he be promoted to colonel. This brought about much difficulty because at

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.

"For our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimmage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet!" This gets his message across because it shows that although it would help them win the war, it would hurt their opponents and it is ironic because the bible says that a man cannot love God and hate his

Born November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California, General George Smith Patton, Jr. was one of the most complicated, yet greatest leaders in military history. On June 11, 1909, he attended the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) for a year and then to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 15th cavalry Regiment. Growing up, Patton’s ultimate life goal was to become a hero and a successful leader. In Robert B. Williamson’s book, “General Patton’s Principles for Life & Leadership”, the author takes a personal account of Patton’s principles which he lived and fought for. These main principles consisted of the following: Leadership,