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George Smith Patton Jr.: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General
George Smith Patton Jr.: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\World War II
Portrait
Place
Deutschland\Bayern\Oberbayern\Bad Tölz
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Major General George S. Patton, U.S.A., Retired, and the Patton Family; frame conserved with funds from the Smithsonian Women's Committee
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Object number
NPG.99.5
Exhibition Label
Born San Gabriel, California
Nicknamed “Old Blood and Guts,” General George Patton Jr. had a penchant for harsh, bluntly spoken opinions that sometimes made him the object of controversy during World War II. There was, however, no debating his soldiering abilities. In the Allied drive against Axis armies in North Africa, his gift for instilling frontline discipline was critical in shaping unseasoned American soldiers into effective fighting units. His leadership proved crucial again in the invasion of Sicily, but his finest moment came during the massive German counteroffensive in northern Europe’s Ardennes region in 1944–45. His part in repelling the Germans there placed beyond challenge his reputation as one of the most brilliant field commanders of the war.
The inscription in the portrait’s upper left corner was from Patton’s declaration of May 9, 1945, telling his soldiers what an honor it had been to lead them.
Nacido en San Gabriel, California
Apodado "Sangre y Agallas", el general George Patton Jr. expresaba sus opiniones de manera tan dura que fue blanco de controversias en la II Guerra Mundial. Sin embargo, sus capacidades militares eran indiscutibles. Durante la ofensiva de los Aliados contra los ejércitos del Eje en el norte de África, con su don para infundir disciplina en el frente de batalla transformó a soldados inexpertos en unidades de combate efectivas. De nuevo resultó crucial en la invasión de Sicilia, pero su mejor momento vino durante la gran contraofensiva alemana en las Ardenas, al norte de Europa, en 1944–45. Su actuación en la lucha por repeler a los alemanes consolidó su reputación como uno de los comandantes de campo más brillantes de la guerra.
La inscripción en la esquina superior izquierda del retrato proviene de unas palabras de Patton a sus soldados el 9 de mayo de 1945, expresando cuán honrado se sentía de haberlos liderado.
Provenance
The sitter; his son George S. Patton, South Hamilton, Mass.; gift 1999 to NPG
