May he rest in peace .....
Posted on 06/30/2004 4:44:08 AM PDT by SLB
WASHINGTON, June 29 - Maj. Gen. George S. Patton, the son and namesake of the World War II armored commander and a veteran of combat in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, died on Sunday at his home in Hamilton, Mass. He was 80.
General Patton, who retired from the Army in 1980, had been in poor health for years because of complications from hip surgery and other ailments, his wife, Joanne, said.
The younger General Patton was occasionally asked whether he felt overshadowed by his father, who gained fame for his exploits in North Africa, Sicily and France and who was introduced to new generations of Americans through George C. Scott's movie portrayal. "I've never worried about it," the son said in an interview in 1977. "I've been too busy."
The younger officer was wounded in one of his three Vietnam tours and was awarded a Purple Heart. He was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest decoration for bravery in combat.
George Smith Patton was in his last year at West Point when his father, George S. Patton Jr., was killed in a traffic accident in Germany in December 1945. For a time, the younger man was known as George S. Patton III, but he eventually dropped the Roman numeral, his wife said.
General Patton acknowledged that, just as his father had, he demanded a spit-and-polish look from his soldiers. And like his father, he loved history and spoke French, Joanne Patton said. He received a master's in international affairs from George Washington University.
As a colonel, he commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam. As a major general in 1975, he took command of the Second Armored Division at Fort Hood, Tex. His father had led the division in North Africa.
In 1964, the younger George Patton and other relatives objected to a new biography of the World War II commander, "Ordeal and Triumph," saying it used unauthorized material from the general's wartime diaries. Some material was deleted, and the book was published.
In retirement, the general ran Green Meadows Farm in Hamilton, north of Boston.
Also surviving are three sons, George, of Hamilton; Robert, of Darien, Conn.; and Benjamin, of New York; two daughters, Mother Margaret Patton, a nun in Bethlehem, Conn., and Helen Plusczyk of Saarbrücken, Germany; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
I remember that too.
As I understand it, they are creating a new 4-Star Iraqi Command that he will take over. I wonder if he will work for Abezuid (hopelessly misspelled).
In honor of him & his Dad, here it is:
Fiddler’s Green
Halfway down the trail to hell,
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen,
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddle’s Green.
---------
Marching past, straight through to hell,
The Infantry are seen,
Accompanied by the engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but shades of Cavalryman
Dismount at Fiddler’s Green
---------
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene,
No trooper ever gets to hell
Ere he’s emptied his canteen
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddler’s Green.
---------
And so when man and horse go down,
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp
Just empty your canteen,
And put a pistol to your head
And go to Fiddler’s Green.
May he rest in peace .....
Patton Bump
This story was in the New York Times Obit page today, I saw it late last night on the internet edition.
Click the Pic
Yes you are correct it was United States Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command (DARCOM)at the time. I have made a major effort to forget that stupid clumsy acronym. The command didn't become Army Material Command again until Gen Thompson took command in the summer of 1984. You also are most likely correct about Patton going from the Armor School to a posting in West Germany before arriving at DARCOM for his final tour.
Subject: What Gen. Patton would have said!
> If General George Patton were alive and President of the USA, this would be > his Fireside Speech:
> > My fellow Americans:
> > As you all know, the defeat of Iraq's regime has been completed.
> > Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.
> > This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.
> > Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short:
The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, Norway and Poland are some of the countries listed there.
> > The other list contains everyone not on the first lis t. Most of the world's nations are on that list.
> > My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
> > Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war.
> > The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world hell-holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.
> > Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.
> > In the future, together with Congress, I will work to cut taxes and solve some local problems.
> > On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.
> > Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China.
> > To Israel and the Palestinian Authority. You, boys -- work out a peace deal now. Just note that Camp David is closed.
> > Maybe all of you can go to Russia for negotiations. They have some great palaces there. Big tables, too.
> > I'm ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis.
> > I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed.
> > I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. Pay your tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers, and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.
> > A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are going to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change. Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I have a couple of extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I'm gonna put 'em? Yep, border security. So start doing something with your oil.
> > Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty--starting now.
> > It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying darn tootin'.
> > Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to cut taxes here because we will not be spending on other people's problems.
> > To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thanks guys. We owe you.
> > To the nations on List 2, a final thought. Drop dead. God bless America.
> > Thank you and good night.
> > > Semper Fidelis,
> > Paul B. Rogers
> USMC Retired
Worked for him in RVN with 11ACR. A great man in his own right.
Do you remember his "state of the Armor School" messages? All instructors in Gaffey Auditorium. The first one I attended had a female captain attending. His normal work language was always a little colorful, but he apologized to her every time he slipped.
I based this character on Gen. Pattons dog Willie. God speed to his son.
My Dad served some time as a staff officer under General Patton in the 70's. I haven't heard too much about him other than that he was a General who was actually concerned about his troops....he believed that a good appearance generated pride and gave the troops the spirit.
See post #77.
See post #77.
This report cannot be true. I heard it from an expert that old soldiers never die, they only fade away.
How about, "Gen. George S. Patton, 80, Son of World War II Commander, Fades Away."
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