A Tale Of Two Soldiers Named Patton

George Smith Patton (1833-1864)

Born June 26, 1833, Fredericksburg, VA, Col George S. Patten was a graduate, VMI Class of 1852.  After graduating he practiced law in Charleston, WV.  During the Civil War, Patton was commander of the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment and was killed at the Battle of Winchester in September 1864.  He is the Grandfather of Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.

General George S. Patton, Jr. (1885-1945)

The third Patton to bear the name George Smith also attended VMI for one year (1903-1904) as a member of the Class of 1907.  He was appointed to the United States Military Academy in the spring of 1904 and entered West Point in June.  While at VMI, he studied Algebra, English, History, Drawing and Latin.

General George Smith Patton Jr. was a senior officer of the United States Army who commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean and European theaters of World War II, but is best known for his leadership of the U.S