General Patton graduated from West Point in 1909.  During World War I Patton commanded a tank brigade in France.  Patton was a corps commander in the assault on North Africa and Sicily by the allied forces.  Patton commanded the US Third Army in its sweep across France and into Germany.   Patton's image was seriously hurt when he slapped a soldier in the hospital for battle weariness.  He died in an automobile accident after World War II ended.