George S. Patton Jr. Born in California

Summary

George Smith Patton Jr. was born on November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California. He attended the Virginia Military Institute before transferring to the United States Military Academy, graduating from West Point in 1909. Patton competed in the modern pentathlon at the 1912 Olympics and later participated in the U.S. expedition into Mexico. During World War I, he became an early American advocate and commander of armored forces. In World War II, Patton commanded U.S. forces in North Africa and Sicily before leading the Third Army after the Normandy invasion. His forces became known for rapid advances across France and into Germany, including operations connected with relieving Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Patton was also a controversial commander whose aggressive leadership style and incidents including the slapping of hospitalized soldiers brought criticism. He died in Germany in December 1945 after injuries sustained in an automobile accident.