Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
George
Smith
Patton
, Jr.
DNB (1945)
November 11, 1885

–

December 21, 1945

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Luxembourg

George Patton graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1909. After serving with distinction in World War I, he became a U.S. military icon famed for his uncontrollable temperament mixed with a combat drive that became legendary. He was later portrayed by Actor George C. Scott in an autobiographical movie of his life. His son, by the same name, graduated from the Academy with the Class of 1946 and established his own legend of service, earning two Distinguished Service Crosses as well. General Patton was killed in an automobile accident in Germany shortly after World War II ended.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General
    War Department, General Orders No. 90 (1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Armor)

    Division:

    Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 26, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 133 (1918)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Armor) George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cheppy, France, 26 September 1918. Colonel Patton displayed conspicuous courage, coolness, energy, and intelligence in directing the advance of his brigade down the valley of the Aire. Later he rallied a force of disorganized infantry and led it forward, behind the tanks, under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire until he was wounded. Unable to advance further, Colonel Patton continued to direct the operations of his unit until all arrangements for turning over the command were completed.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Division:

    SEVENTH U.S. Army

    Action Date:

    July 11, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Army-North African Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 80 (August 19, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant General George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding General of the SEVENTH U.S. Army, in action against enemy forces at Gela, Sicily, on 11 July 1943. When American forces landed at Gela they found the town in control of two German tank regiments. Twice the Germans were driven from the town and twice the Americans were forced back on to the beaches. At this point General Patton leaped into the surf from a landing barge and waded ashore to take over personal commend. Step-by-step the enemy was driven back from the beaches as wave after wave of American troops landed from the troopships. By sunset the bridgehead was well established and the Germans were pushed back to a few miles beyond the town. Lieutenant General Patton’s heroic leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Army, and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Tank Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War I
    War Department, General Orders No. 103 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Tank Corps) George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. By his energy and sound judgment, Colonel Patton rendered very valuable services in his organization and direction of the Tank Center at the Army schools at Langres, France. In the employment of Tank Corps troops in combat he displayed high military attainments, zeal, and marked adaptability in a form of warfare comparatively new to the American Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General
    AF, General Orders No. 28 (1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    1st Armored Corps

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, FIRST Armored Corps, during World War II.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 10, 1943

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to General George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, Western Task Force, Sicilian Landings, on 10 July 1943, and the Amphibious Operations in the advance from Palermo to Messina.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Armor)

    Division:

    Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 26, 1918
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) George Smith Patton, Jr. (ASN: 0-2605), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in France, during World War I. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Patton, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.