After 28 Years on my shelf-I finally

[Spock]

pulled down a thick book called "Patton: A Genius for War."

I had probably known at one time-but had completely forgotten that he had crippling dyslexia which was unknown at that time. Probably the only way he made it through West Point was because of the extensive memorization his family had required in his early years-so he was used to that method-he did not attend regular school until age 11.

On the creepy family dynamic front-His father married one of 2 sisters and the other sister was also in love with him. She essentially made herself part of the household in all aspects except the sharing of the bed. She basically viewed George as her son with the man she loved and had an apartment near West Point and other places.

[Appa23]

pulled down a thick book called "Patton: A Genius for War."

I had probably known at one time-but had completely forgotten that he had crippling dyslexia which was unknown at that time. Probably the only way he made it through West Point was because of the extensive memorization his family had required in his early years-so he was used to that method-he did not attend regular school until age 11.

On the creepy family dynamic front-His father married one of 2 sisters and the other sister was also in love with him. She essentially made herself part of the household in all aspects except the sharing of the bed. She basically viewed George as her son with the man she loved and had an apartment near West Point and other places.

I visited West Point for a week about 20 years ago, related to my work for Army Corps of Engineers. They told the story of General Patton flunking out his first year, and then letting him back in to join the next class, as well as the fact that his mother and aunt lived very near the Academy all 5 years that he attended West Point.

Bonus trivia: West Point was the first Engineering school in the United States.

[jarnon]

Bonus trivia: West Point was the first Engineering school in the United States.

Having worked in Valley Forge, Pa. for most of my career, I know that on 9 June 1778, General Washington founded a military engineering school there. It's the forerunner of West Point, and the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Army Engineer School in Missouri.

[Appa23]

Bonus trivia: West Point was the first Engineering school in the United States.

Having worked in Valley Forge, Pa. for most of my career, I know that on 9 June 1778, General Washington founded a military engineering school there. It's the forerunner of West Point, and the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Army Engineer School in Missouri.

After the publishing of the orders at Valley Forge, where General Washington was, the US Army Engineer School was located at the West Point fortifications. In 1802, the US Military Academy was founded as the first school to provide scientific instruction in (civil) engineering.

[silverscreenselect]

My favorite bit of Patton trivia is that he competed in the 1912 pentathlon at the Olympic games and finished fifth. Unlike the decathlon (which is exclusively a track and field competition), this event tests skills in various sports: running, swimming, shooting, fencing, and equestrian. Supposedly, these are disciplines needed by a military officer and back then, the only competitors were military officers. Patton finished poorly in shooting, which cost him a medal, but he used his own .38 rather than a .22 like most of the other competitors because he said he felt more comfortable with his personal sidearm. He claimed that he didn't get credit for one shot that passed through another bullet hole but the judges ruled against him. Patton was gracious in accepting the loss publicly but always felt he deserved a medal.

[Bob Juch]

A Canadian friend who volunteered for the U.S. Army to fight in Vietnam was in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment commanded by Colonel George Smith Patton IV. They used the M48A3 "Patton" tanks, named after the Colonel's father. They met and talked briefly.

[Spock]

My favorite bit of Patton trivia is that he competed in the 1912 pentathlon at the Olympic games and finished fifth. Unlike the decathlon (which is exclusively a track and field competition), this event tests skills in various sports: running, swimming, shooting, fencing, and equestrian. Supposedly, these are disciplines needed by a military officer and back then, the only competitors were military officers. Patton finished poorly in shooting, which cost him a medal, but he used his own .38 rather than a .22 like most of the other competitors because he said he felt more comfortable with his personal sidearm. He claimed that he didn't get credit for one shot that passed through another bullet hole but the judges ruled against him. Patton was gracious in accepting the loss publicly but always felt he deserved a medal.

The author said that his competitors also argued for him but as the bullet could not be found-it was ruled a miss-but it seems that 2 of his shots missed the target (under those rules).

He met an aide to the Swedish King and they (the aide) became life-long friends. In fact, the last picture of Patton was taken with him in Sweden in 1945.