Patton and Schwarzkopf: Military Leadership Compared

Introduction: Two Military Heroes

Two of the most celebrated American military commanders of the twentieth century — General George S. Patton Jr. and General Norman H. Schwarzkopf Jr. — share a legacy of fierce determination, battlefield excellence, and controversial personal temperament. Each rose through the ranks of the United States Army to achieve commanding roles in the defining conflicts of their eras. This paper examines their careers, their leadership styles, and the qualities that made them military heroes — concluding with a comparison grounded in leadership theory.

General George S. Patton Jr.: Early Life and Career

George Smith Patton Jr. was among the most controversial but successful American field commanders of any war (Campbell 2007). He was a homegrown soldier whose deepest drive was to become a hero and nothing less. Born on November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California, he came from ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. His dedication to the highest standard of excellence among his troops derived from the influence of these ancestors and their tales of bravery and victory. After a year at the Virginia Military Institute, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating on June 11, 1909. His first assignment was as Second Lieutenant in the 15th Cavalry Regiment. He married Beatrice Ayer on May 26, 1910.

At 26, Patton broke records when he represented the United States at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics in the first modern pentathlon. Until then, only military officers could earn the honor of joining and passing that arduous test of military skills. Patton excelled in pistol shooting from 25 meters, sword fencing, a 300-meter freestyle swim, 800-meter horseback riding, and a four-kilometer cross-country run, finishing fifth overall. After the Olympics, he went to the French Cavalry School to learn French sword drills. In the summer of 1913, he became the first Master of the Sword at the Mounted Service School in Fort Riley, Kansas, where he taught a course in swordsmanship (Campbell 2007).

His military career gained momentum when he joined the legendary troop under General John J. Pershing during the expedition to Mexico in 1914 (Campbell 2007). He led attacks on the forces of Francisco "Pancho" Villa, earning recognition from the press. Impressed by his prowess, General Pershing placed Patton in command of the headquarters. In 1917, Patton joined the newly established United States Tank Corps, commanding it until its abolition in 1920. He shaped ideas, methods, and even the design of the Corps' uniforms. His first major tank battle, at Cambrai, France in 1917, was a resounding victory achieved in cooperation with British tankers. Drawing on his firsthand knowledge of tank warfare, Patton established an American tank school in Bourg, France, and trained the first 500 American tankers. By the time he and his troops engaged in the Meuse-Argonne Operation in September 1918, he commanded 345 tanks. He stayed in the front lines to maintain communication with his rear command using pigeons and runners. During one engagement, while directing tanks under fire, he was shot in the leg — an act of deliberate exposure that earned him the Distinguished Service Cross for Heroism, among the many decorations he would receive over his lifetime (Campbell 2007).

Well known for his ivory-handled pistols and fierce temper, Patton was also a former cavalryman and expert horseman (Glueckstein 2006). Before World War II, he owned a dozen horses. He was an accomplished polo player, foxhunter, and steeplechaser who won as many as 400 ribbons and 200 cups. His training and fondness for horses also placed him in charge of the magnificent white Lipizzaner stallions. His favorite stallion, Favory Africa, was reportedly also coveted by Adolf Hitler (Glueckstein 2006).