be physically fit and be able to handle themselves through the most rigorous conditions. Patton got his first tastes of action in pursuit of Mexico’s legendary Pancho Villa in 1916 with the U.S. Cavalry. He was later transferred to the new Armored branch as the first U.S. Commander of Armor. During World War I, Patton was struck by machine gun fire and was seriously wounded, narrowly escaping a possible death. (1). After being wounded, Patton stayed in the armed forces and continued to head the Armored division during the time of peace. Soon enough Patton’s expertise and services would be requested once again in a mere twenty years.On September 1, 1939, a Nazi leader named Adolph Hitler ordered his German troops to invade and take over Poland. It was this day that marked the beginning of the tumultuous World War II. The United States didn’t declare any involvement in this European campaign until December 15, 1941, more than two years later. This war was fought in Europe, against Germany, to oppose Germany’s rapid march toward a militaristic society. An opposition standing in the Nazi’s way was none other than the most feared general in any army, George Patton.Patton’s first great contributions to the war effort started on November 7, 1942, when he led his armored units into Morocco and removed the German presence. Assisted by Britain, Patton and his men efficiently removed the German command out of Africa and established it as an allied area once again. Patton was praised for this impressive and swift performance and gained great recognition. This recognition from French and Britain quickly plummeted by February 1943 and Patton and America had lost this prestige. (Essame 47-48, 64).This first assignment allowed Patton to establish an early name for himself in the war. Many of the other allied leaders found him to be repulsive, eccentric, rude, and did not want to associate themselves ...
