George S. Patton | Testicular Fortitude

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Testicular Fortitude means having deep seated masculine courage and strength. Balls. Guts. Manlihood. 

Testicular Fortitude on the Manlihood ManCast is where we take a look at men who have beat the odds, men whose courage has left a lasting legacy.

Patton was born into a wealthy family in San Gabriel, California in 1885. As a child, he had difficulty with spelling and reading, which later led historians to speculate that he suffered from dyslexia. Despite his struggles, Patton became an avid reader and developed a passion for military history. He attended the Virginia Military Institute and then transferred to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he repeated his freshman year due to poor grades. However, Patton improved his academic performance and graduated in June 1909, becoming a commissioned second lieutenant in the cavalry.

Patton's courage was first tested when he saw his first combat after leaving Fort Riley. In 1916, Pancho Villa led an attack on Columbus, New Mexico, and Patton joined the staff of Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing in the ensuing punitive expedition into Mexico. While the mission failed to capture Villa, Patton led a raid that killed three of Villa's men, which received much publicity and was notable for being the first time automobiles were used in combat by the US Army.

Patton's courage was again put to the test during World War I. When the US entered the war, Patton joined the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France, where he was appointed as the first officer to the newly formed US Army Tank Corps. Patton trained, organized, and even designed the uniforms for the new tank units. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel and later became the temporary colonel, leading the first US tank units into battle during the Saint-Mihiel offensive.

Despite being badly wounded by a machine-gun bullet in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, Patton refused to be taken to the hospital until he had reported to his commander, showing incredible bravery under fire. His bravery earned him the Distinguished Service Cross.

In the years that followed World War I, Patton continued to be a proponent of tank warfare. During World War II, he was promoted to temporary major general and made the commander of the 2nd Armored Division. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Patton organized the Desert Training Center to simulate combat and maneuvers in the harsh North African climate.

Patton's strict discipline, toughness, and self-sacrifice elicited exceptional pride within his ranks, and he was referred to as "Old Blood-and-Guts" by his men. Despite controversies due to his brash actions and mercurial temper, Patton's bravery and testicular fortitude made him one of the greatest military commanders in history. His legacy lives on as an inspiration to all those who admire and value true courage and bravery.

When Henry Darlington and Gerald Mygatt assembled and published the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Prayer Book in 1944, they requested many of our nation’s leaders to contribute a written prayer. Patton submitted a prayer for courage.

I find it interesting, because our picture of Patton’s courage seems to be innate… something he possessed and owned, but if this prayer is to be taken seriously, Patton’s unwavering courage was not drummed up from within, but rather bestowed upon him.

God of our Fathers, who by land and sea has ever led us to victory, please continue Your inspiring guidance in this the greatest of our conflicts.

Strengthen my soul so that the weakening instinct of self-preservation, which besets all of us in battle, shall not blind me to my duty to my own manhood, to the glory of my calling, and to my responsibility to my fellow soldiers.

Grant to our armed forces that disciplined valor and mutual confidence which ensures success in war.

Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived.

If it be my lot to die, let me do so with courage and honor in a man-ner which will bring the greatest harm to the enemy, and please, O Lord, protect and guide those I shall leave behind.

Give us the victory, Lord. Amen.

Testicular Fortitude

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