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Patton won the American Military Olympics and went on to Stockholm, Sweden where they were being held in 1912. He came in first in fencing by handing the French champion his only defeat. It was the first time the Americans had ever won in the fencing category. Patton placed second in swimming and third in cross-country riding. But a problem occured in the pistol shooting category. There was a hole in the bulls eye, and two holes slightly grazing the bullseye. Witnesses claimed that two bullets had actually gone through the bullseye (and thus through the hole that was already there.) The judges were required to count only the holes, so the other two hits were counted as if he had completely missed the target, and he came in 27th for pistol shooting. Had this not happened, Patton would have won first place overall. As it was, he came in fifth.
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Patton wanted to go to Mexico in 1916 as aide to General Pershing during the expedition against Pancho Villa. When interviewed, Pershing said, "Many other boys want to go. Why should I choose you?" Patton replied, "Because I'm better than those other boys." General Pershing must have agreed, because he chose Patton to accompany him to Mexico. Patton also served as his aide in France during WWI. Pershing put Patton in charge of the newly formed American Tank Corps, and here Patton found his true calling. During a battle, Patton doggedly continued advancing with his tanks, personally leading them on foot. He was shot down, and almost died. For his heroic action he received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Purple Heart.
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Between wars, Patton kept reading. He read all of the books by the great participants in the Great War. He also read books by Liddell Hart and J. F. C. Fuller who were disregarded then. They would soon make names for themselves as the inventors of "blitzkrieg." Meanwhile Patton was developing his own strategy - one which mixed the perfect blend of rapid advance with knock-out punch. He was merely waiting his time for the next war and an opportunity to test his strategy.
Copyright Barbara E. Boland, December 7,2000
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