George S. Patton

George Smith Patton, Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was a senior officer of the United States Army, who commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of World War II, but is best known for his leadership of the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944.

Born in 1885 to a family with an extensive military background, Patton attended the Virginia Military Institute, and later the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He participated in the 1912 Olympic Modern Pentathlon, and was instrumental in designing the M1913 "Patton Saber". Patton first saw combat during the Pancho Villa Expedition in 1916, taking part in America's first military action using motor vehicles. He later joined the newly formed United States Tank Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces and saw action in World War I, commanding the U.S. tank school in France before being wounded while leading tanks into combat near the end of the war. In the interwar period, Patton remained a central figure in the development of armored warfare doctrine in the U.S. Army, serving in numerous staff positions throughout the country. Rising through the ranks, he commanded the U.S. 2nd Armored Division at the time of the U.S. entry into World War II.

George S. Patton (attorney)

George Smith Patton (born George William Patton; September 30, 1856 – June 10, 1927) was a California attorney, businessman and political figure. He was the father of George S. Patton, the famed general who commanded the Third United States Army during World War II.

Early life

George Smith Patton was born George William Patton in Charleston, West Virginia (then Virginia), on September 30, 1856. He was the son of George S. Patton, Sr. and Susan Thornton Glassell.

The senior Patton served in the Confederate States Army and attained the rank of Colonel as commander of the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment. By some accounts, he had been recommended for advancement to Brigadier General, but was killed at the Battle of Opequon (Third Battle of Winchester) before the promotion was acted on. His brother Waller T. Patton, George William Patton's uncle, was also a Colonel in the Confederate Army, and commanded the 7th Virginia Infantry until he was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg and died several weeks later.

Historical characters in the Southern Victory Series

The Southern Victory Series is a series of alternate history novels written by Harry Turtledove. The point of divergence involves Confederate States of America winning the American Civil War and becoming an independent nation. The series covers events from 1862 to 1945 and features dozens of characters, some of whom were historical figures.

Books in the series

United States

Alcott, Louisa May

(HFR)

Rather than Little Women, set in a North that was winning the war, Louisa May Alcott wrote After the War was Lost.