West Point in Orange County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
General George S. Patton, Jr.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 27, 2009
1. General George S. Patton, Jr. Marker
by
James Earle Fraser
1950
Erected 1950 by Friends, officers and men of the units he commanded.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 41° 23.502′ N, 73° 57.359′ W. Marker is in West Point, New York, in Orange County. Marker is on Thayer Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Point NY 10996, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thayer Walk (a few steps from this marker); Dwight David Eisenhower (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Twentieth Century Wars (about 600 feet away); Surrender at Saratoga (about 600 feet away); West Point Bicentennial (about 600 feet away); Taylor Hall (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Point.
Also see . . .
1. Patton Monument (West Point). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. George S. Patton. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on November 27, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
this page online
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 5, 2009
2. General George S. Patton, Jr. Marker
Photographed By Frederick Bothwell, 2017
3. Proposed General George S. Patton, Jr. Marker
The existing painted metal plate marker, mounted askew on a stick in the ground near the statue of General Patton, was installed in what was to be a temporary location for the statue in 2009. A number of graduates have expressed a willingness to pay for the creation and installation of a more appropriate bronze and granite marker, pending approval by USMA leadership.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 5, 2009
4. Closeup of General Patton Statue
The Patton Monument, sculpted by James Fraser, was unveiled in 1950 by his wife Beatrice.
Photographed By US Army, May 15, 2009
5. Patton Monument Rededication
George S. Patton monument rededicated in a temporary location by Patton's grandson and West Point Superintendant LTG Franklin L. Hagenbeck
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 5, 2009
6. George S. Patton Monument at West Point
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 5, 2010
7. Patton Statue at West Point Library
The statue of General George S. Patton, Jr. is seen here behind the Jefferson Hall Library. Patton graduated from the Military Academy later than others in his class. He claimed it was because he never could find the library. For this reason, his statue was placed at this location.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 5, 2009
8. Monuments on the Plain at West Point
The General Patton Monument can be seen in this photo behind one for General Dwight Eisenhower.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, June 2013
9. Grave of General George S. Patton, Jr.
At his request to be buried with his men, General Patton was laid to rest at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in the Hamm district of Luxembourg City, alongside wartime casualties of the Third Army.
Photographed By Frederick Bothwell, May 2017
10. View from Patton Marker Site Obscured
In the near decade since installation of the Patton marker and statue in an allegedly "temporary" location, a tree has been allowed to grow in front of the site, effectively destroying the view of "the Plain" from the site of the marker
US Army Photograph - Public Domain, circa April 1962
11. General George S. Patton, Jr. Monument
Members of the West Point Class of 1962 assigned to Armor branch standing in front of the Patton Monument at West Point. In 1962 the monument was still in its original position, facing the old Cadet library. The old library was demolished and the new library erected on the original site of the Patton Monument. The monument was placed in storage for over four years while the new library was constructed, then reinstalled in its present location.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 2, 2011
12. George S. Patton, Jr.
This 1945 portrait of George S. Patton Jr. by Boleslaw Jan Czedekowski hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.
“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.” — National Portrait Gallery
“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.” — National Portrait Gallery
Photographed By Frederick Bothwell, May 2017
13. View of Patton Marker and Statue Obscured
In the near decade since the 2009 installation of the Patton marker and statue in an allegedly "temporary" location, a large tree has grown in front of the site, effectively concealing it from view.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 4,519 times since then and 77 times this year. Last updated on April 8, 2017, by Frederick Bothwell of Georgetown, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on September 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on September 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on April 4, 2017, by Frederick Bothwell of Georgetown, Texas. 4. submitted on September 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on February 5, 2017, by Frederick Bothwell of Georgetown, Texas. 6. submitted on September 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on September 6, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8. submitted on September 11, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 9. submitted on June 3, 2018, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 10. submitted on June 1, 2018, by Frederick Bothwell of Georgetown, Texas. 11. submitted on November 7, 2011, by Frederick Bothwell of Georgetown, Texas. 12. submitted on May 7, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 13. submitted on June 1, 2018, by Frederick Bothwell of Georgetown, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
