On November 11, 1885, one of the greatest fighting generals was born in San Gabriel, California. He was General George S. Patton. Patton was destined to be a war hero from birth because his family had fought in all of the wars. At an early age, he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. He wanted to follow in his family's footsteps and be a distinguished military man. George had a difficult obstacle to deal with his whole life. He had a learning disability called dyslexia. His father didn't send him to school until he was eleven because he was afraid the kids would laugh at him. George's father home-schooled him. At eleven, he entered Stephen Cutter Clark's School for Boys. In 1903 he entered Virginia Military Institute. After one year of very hard work he was finally accepted into West Point. His father knew he had to attend West Point to succeed in the army. He was one of the best cadets in West Point. He had many struggles with his school because of his dyslexia. He graduated as a lieutenant and joined the cavalry. In 1910, Patton married Beatrice Ayer. They met on a family trip years before. Beatrice understood George and knew what he wanted to become. She helped as much as she could by doing things like translating the French Cavalry manuals. The Pattons had three children named Beatrice, Ruth Ellen and George Jr. George succeeded in everything he did. In 1912, Patton was in the Olympics as a pentathlon athlete where he finished fifth. Patton wanted to be a master swordsman. He attended a school in swordsmanship at Saumur, France. Back at his post in the US, he became Master of the Sword at Fort Riley. Later Patton was stationed in Fort Bliss to protect Texas from Mexican bandits. They were looking for men that worked with Poncho Villa. In Texas, Patton was under General Pershing's command. Patton learned all he could from this great general. Patton's first battle was successful as he killed one of Villa's main bodyguards. In 1917, The US entered World War I. Patton was promoted to captain and went to France to organize the first tank unit. Patton loved being in war and won many battles. He was quickly promoted to a full colonel. After the war Patton came back to America and rejoined the cavalry as a captain. He saw that tanks had a long way to go before they could be effective in war. In the next few years, Patton disliked the staff jobs he was assigned. Patton wanted action in the middle of a war. He suffered from depression during these years. In 1938, he was promoted to a full colonel and took command of First Cavalry Division. In the cavalry, he got his name "Old Blood and Guts." In 1940, Patton left the cavalry and took command of the Second Armored Brigade. He was promoted to major general and made the troops ready for battle with tanks. He saw war was coming and was excited. In 1941, the US entered World War II. Patton commanded First Armored Corps in North Africa. Eisenhower ordered Patton to lead the Second Corps and promoted him to a three star general. Patton had a successful campaign in North Africa and Sicily. In America he became a great war hero. His reputation was tarnished quickly with one act. He slapped a soldier that was sick. Patton thought the soldier was faking it and was just a coward. Patton was asked to leave but Eisenhower stood up for Patton because he knew the army needed his great leadership skills. Patton then left to command the Third Army. He had many victorious battles against the Germans, and he was the only general the Germans truly feared. He covered more ground, captured more prisoners and had less causality than any other general in the war. The war ended May 8, 1945, as Patton was a full four star general. Patton hated that the war was over. He knew this was his last war he would ever be in. Patton died on December 21, 1945 after a car accident. Patton was buried in Luxembourg with six thousand other soldiers. He wanted to be buried on foreign ground like the rest of his men that died in the war. He thought it was the only honorable death for a soldier. Patton was one of our most distinguished generals in our history.