General Patton​

 

General George S. Patton was born in San Gabriel, California in 1885.

 

He was raised in a wealthy California family and enjoyed a privileged childhood. However, his early years were marred by difficulties in spelling and reading.

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Military was Patton's passion, particularly military history. He attended the Virginia Military Institute and the United States Military Academy at West Point.

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"Old Blood and Guts"

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Patton was an effective commander and quickly rehabilitated demoralized corps with attention-getting, vulgarity-laden speeches.

 

His philosophy of leading from the front helped Patton produce more results, in less time, with fewer casualties than any other general, in any army.

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He was aggressive and was impatient with those who failed to meet his expectations. Known to his men as “Old Blood and Guts,” Patton became one of the most famous American military commanders during World War II.

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Extra Marital Scandal

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At age 24, Patton married Beatrice Banning Ayer, the daughter of Boston industrialist Frederick Ayer.

 

Patton took to drinking heavily and, in 1936, allegedly began an affair with his 21-year-old niece by marriage, Jean Gordon.

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The affair distressed Patton's wife immensely and nearly resulted in their separation. Patton's attempts to win her back were said to be among the few instances in which he willingly showed remorse or submission.

 

During WW2, Patton found himself again with Gordon while both were stationed on the front lines in Europe. Gordon was with Patton in London in 1944 and in Bavaria in 1945.
 

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Sudden Deaths

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On December 9, 1945, Patton was traveling in Germany and his limousine was struck by an army truck. Patton suffered life-threatening injuries and spent the next 12 days in the hospital where all non-medical visitors except Patton's wife, who had flown from the U.S., were forbidden.

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Patton's death was reported on December 21, 1945

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Eighteen days later, on January 8, 1946, Jean Gordon was found dead in an apartment kitchen with the oven door open and photos of General Patton on the floor around her.