I had struggled with finding a leader
that I admire and respect. There are so many individuals in this world who have
show strong leadership skills and have through their demeanor and actions have
required admiration and respect. One person, who for me has been a leader I
looked to, respected, and admired is General George S. Patton III. While some
might question using this man as a personal model for leadership, I believe his
tactics on the battlefield during World War II warrant at least respect and
admiration.
The exuberance and powerful Oscar
winning performance of George C. Scott acting as George Patton has misled many
people in understanding Patton. While the film does portray his battlefield
tactics and some of the personal elements of his life accurately, it is not
well known that the General was soft spoken, but commanded with might.
George S. Smith was born November 11,
1885. He was born into a military family. His family had taken part in the
United States Civil War, which meant that from an early age he was surrounded
by military ideology, which might, as we will go over, explain his leadership
on the battlefield. He read classics and military history, and was surrounded
by stories of military glory. These bread in him a desire to become a military
hero and aspired to become a General.
Through Patton’s desire to become a
General and a hero, he pursued military education at Virginia Military
Institute and eventually transferred after his first year to the United States
Military Academy, who forced Patton to retake his first year. He passed the
first year at the United States Military Academy with honors, which set him on
the correct path he was aspiring for. He graduated from USMA in 1909 and immediately
received his commission as a cavalry officer.
Patton took part in numerous battles
and wars, starting with the Mexican Revolution. The Mexican Revolution brought
fame to Patton. After Pancho Villa’s forces had crossed into New Mexico, killed
several Americans, Patton was instructed to move on the town of Columbus where
the opposing forces were located. He and
ten others from the 6th Infantry Regiment, with 3 armored cars
(early tanks) performed an attack. This was the world’s first armored vehicle
attack, and it would not be the last for Patton. Patton along with his fellow
infantry men killed 2 leaders of the Mexican forces, and brought them back to
Brigadier General Pershing’s Headquarters. Patton brought them back in such
spectacle that he was regarded with fame throughout the United States.
The most well-known portion of
Patton’s career took place in World War II. He took part in the North African
Campaign, Sicily Campaign, Normandy Campaign, Lorraine Campaign, and Ardennes
Campaign. After several defeats, Major General Patton replaced Major General
Lloyd Fredendall as the commander of the II Corps. At the same time, he was
promoted to Lieutenant General. It is well documented that Patton’s leadership
style attributed to the success the II Corps had. It is said that his troops
preferred to serve under Patton rather than Fredendall because they believed
they had a higher chance of survival with Patton.
Patton believed in manliness and
discipline as a soldier. He instituted a requirement that all personnel wear
metal helmets, his troops wear lace-up canvas leggings which prevented injury
from the natural elements including scorpions, spiders, and rats. He instituted
a system of fines that insured discipline among the men in their uniforms.
While it is said that these new approaches were strict, they did restore
discipline and a sense of unit pride that was lacking under the previous
leadership. Through his leadership the II Corps were able to attack on the
counter-offensive, which pushed the Germans and Italians eastward. His military
strategies and leadership were very instrumental in the successes of his
campaigns throughout the European Arena.
Even though there is conflicting evidence
to the Great Man Theory, I do believe that this theory does explain that
leadership qualities in George Patton. While yes, the qualities of leaders can
be learned and acquired, there are certain qualities that are just inherent
within individuals, and I believe that Patton’s qualities were inherent. Patton
as a general was a very exploitative autocratic ruler, which means that he
demanded and ordered things to his subordinates expecting no questions in
return. Patton was very efficient in communicating to his officers during the
campaigns. Patton was especially good at military strategy. He planned and
implemented military maneuvers which proved a success in the war. Patton did
not believe that he knew it all, and continuously studied military tactics in
order to achieve a higher success than he already had achieved. Another one of
Patton’s leadership qualities was in his control. Patton was able to control II
Corps. While most of the control was set forth in the people Patton either
placed as a subordinate to himself or promoting individuals within the II Corps
to position of leadership. Through his example, the II Corps was successful
both in the military battlefields off those fields within the military.
