Third Army continues to preserve the legacy of General George S. Patton, Jr.
SUMTER, SC (WIS) - Third Army Commanding General George S. Patton, Jr. continues to have his memory preserved at Patton Hall at Third Army Headquarters on Shaw Air Force Base.
“He was a dynamic character and interesting leader; loved by some, reviled by others, feared by his enemies,” said Michael Clauss, the Command Historian for U.S. Army Central. “On the forefront, he engineered a persona; history [helped] him understand people, terrain, and places.”
His wide and varied career reached a climax in World War II, helping to lead the Third Army in numerous campaigns across Europe as they took a central role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and the liberation of Europe from German occupation.
“Third Army was responsible for the breakout of the Normandy beaches, they just fanned out all over northern France as part of the exploitation to get the Germans out of Northern France,” Clauss said. “Patton and Third Army were responsible for the counterattack that would relieve the encircled paratroopers at Bastogne and help shorten the attack during the Battle of the Bulge.”
In his 281 days in combat while commanding Third Army, Patton would help lead America to victory on the battlefield, wasting no time getting to work.
After he first took command in August 1944, he couldn’t be stopped.
With his guidance, the Third Army reached the German Border in less than two months before the Germans could establish a coherent defensive rim.
“He helped [to stop] the German counterattack in Mortain, he helped destroy the German’s Seventh Army in Felise. By the mid to the end of August in 1944, Third Army elements were approaching Paris,” Clauss said. “By the end of August, they were approaching the Belgian boarder, and by the middle of September, they were approaching the German border.”
While Clauss said it’s impossible to talk about the Third Army without remembering Patton, his legacy serves as a reminder this Memorial Day to honor the ultimate sacrifice so many have paid in defense of our freedoms.
“Beyond George Patton, we want to remember the service members, every single one of them who served, whether they were famous or not. We want them to remember and honor their service and their sacrifice to our great nation,” Clauss said.
Prior to commanding the Third Army, in World War I Patton accompanied Gen. John Pershing and helped American forces on the punitive expedition into Mexico in 1916.
In addition, Patton was the first tank commander in World War I, competed in the pentathlon during the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games.
He also redesigned the American Cavalry Sword in 1913 after traveling and training at the French Cavalry School.
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