From fighting against Pancho Villa in 1916 to defeating Germans in WWII, General George Smith Patton had one hell of a career. Adored by his men, loathed by high command, virtually all would have chosen no other to serve with. Highly regarded for his stamina, combat knowledge and profanity-laced speeches spurring all to fight on fight strong and do their duty regardless of their personal fear, Patton wrote “I was very much frightened as Villa was said to be on the road I traveled” after riding a horse in the dark for hours. He knew overcoming personal fear was a type of courage that a true warrior, a gladiator, had which was a large part of his leading from the front philosophy, to lead by example.



After the Villa Expedition, notable as America’s first military action using motored vehicles, Patton's fame grew as commander of the Third Army, the United States Tank Corps, leading a successful rapid armored campaign across France. What truly won the hearts of his men were not his words alone but also his actions especially when leading from the front.



Patton, with a flair for the dramatic, delivered speeches to the troops and moved on always with his trademark ivory-handled, Smith & Wesson Model 27 .357 Magnum on his hip. His well-defined diaries are filled with daily happenings and notes, a culmination of what he considered motivational truths. Such speeches with inspirational military quotes “No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country” were ever fully written down. Influencing speeches came naturally, encompassing inspirational military quotes as: "Battle is the most significant competition in which a man can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base."



His famous address to the Third Army, United States Tank Corps was finally assembled for the world to read ended with “All right, you sons of bitches. You know how I feel. I'll be proud to lead you wonderful guys in battle anytime, anywhere. That's all.”