General George S. Patton: Operational Leadership Personified

This paper focuses on the critical yet often overlooked subject of operational leadership. Using a case study of General George S. Patton, Jr. and his command of the U.S. Third Army during World War II as the backdrop, I intend to offer lessons learned from Patton's time as a commander at the operational level for potential future operational leaders who aspire to such command. The scope of this paper is straightforward; this is a study of operational leadership as performed by perhaps its most skilled practitioner. A detailed analysis of Patton's tactical accomplishments is not contained herein. Nor is a study of his pre-Third Army actions conducted. There are more than enough volumes that describe all of those impressive actions. Further, this paper will not delve into the controversial actions that colored Patton's career; there are even more volumes addressing those topics. Rather, an analysis of applicable aspects of Patton's tenure as the Commander, U.S. Third Army as pertinent to the concept of operational leadership will be conducted with the purpose being to provide somewhat of a blueprint from which those vying for command at the operational level may draw critical lessons.