tL's phOTOGRAPH_oF_tHE_dAY #1224 - George Patton, the distinguished though controversial General of the United States Army (1885-1945) In 1916 he participated in the unsuccessful attempt to capture Pancho Villa and in a few years became the first officer assigned to the new United States Tank Corp.
Patton often got into trouble with his outspokenness and strong opinions; including the famous “slapping incident” where he struck a coward soldier. He was criticized for sending an ill-fated rescue mission for his son-in-law, held in a prison camp deep behind enemy lines.
George deliberately cultivated a flashy, distinctive image in the belief that this would motivate his troops. He was usually seen wearing a highly polished helmet, riding pants, and high cavalry boots. He carried flashy ivory-handled, nickel-plated .45 calibre revolvers. His vehicles carried oversized rank insignias and loud sirens. His speeches were riddled with profanities. The toughness of his image and character appeared well-suited to the conditions of battle and later depicted in the 1970 Academy Award winning film ‘Patton’.
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