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 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/446863/George-Smith-Patton 

General George Smith Patton Jr. was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California. During George's childhood he decided he wanted to become a hero. He attended the Virginia Military Institute for one year only and then transfered on to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated on June 11, 1909. He then became a Second Lieutenant in the 15th Calvary Regiment. He was first exposed to battle when he served as a member of General John J. Pershing's staff in the expedition to Mexico. When German Blitzkrieg began in Europe he convince the Congress that the United States needed a more powerful armored striking force. He was appointed Commanding General of the Second Armored Division at Fort Benning. General worked on creating a plan for to invade Sicily. In January of 1943 at the Casablanca Conference, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill decided to launch the attack of Sicily. Their hopes were if the Island was taken Italy would withdraw from the War, and also a successful invasion would force Adolf Hitler to send troops from the Eastern Front to help and relieve pressure on the Red Army that was in the Soviet Union.  The Sicily operation was placed under the supreme command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The commander of ground operations and the 15th Army Group was placed under the command of Harold Alexander. General George Patton was placed to command over the 7th Army. On July 10th 1943 the 7th Army were placed three beaches to the West of British Forces. Patton and his army quickly took Gela, Licata, and Vittoria. The same day the British overtook Syracuse. The next four days the took over Palazzalo Augusta, and Vizzini. The US troops took over Biscani airfield and Niscemi. Patton moved to the West of the Island and General Omar Bradely headed North. This forced the German Army to retreat behind the Simeto River. August 17th, 1943 Patton's troops marched in Messina and captured the Island this made it possible to clear a way for the Allied shipping in the Mediterranean. On December 9 of 1945 Patton suffered from automobile accident injuries. He died December 21 twelve days later. He was then burried with the soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulge in Hamm, Luxembourg. 

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This is a video of General Patton's famous speech he gave to his 3rd army soldiers during World War II

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