born Nov. 11, 1885, San Gabriel, Calif., U.S.
died Dec. 21, 1945, Heidelberg, Ger.
U.S. army officer.
He graduated from West Point and fought in World War I with the newly formed tank corps. He was later promoted to major general and given command of the 2nd Armored Division (1940). In World War II he led military operations in Morocco (1942) and Sicily (1943) and then commanded the 3rd Army in its sweep across northern France (1944) into Germany (1945). His strategy of bold and highly mobile operations in tank warfare, coupled with his strict, highly disciplined leadership, earned him his troops' respect and the nickname "Old Blood-and-Guts." Criticized for striking a hospitalized soldier he suspected of malingering, he later publicly apologized. He died in a car crash in Germany. See also Battle of the Bulge .
George S. Patton, 1945.
U.S. Army photo