The movie opened with George C. Scott standing in front of an enormous American flag, impeccably dressed in knee high, brown, gleaming boots, shiny helmet, and a Colt .45 Peacemaker swinging in its holster on his right side. Portraying General George Patton in the movie “Patton”, Scott stirringly delivered the General’s famous 3rd Army speech. But the actual speech was delivered in far rougher style and in a very different location.
Early June can bring splendid mornings in England, and June 5, 1944 was one of those days. The next day was to commence operation “Overlord,” more commonly known as “D-Day”. Patton’s 3rd Army was going to play a vital role in that operation, and as the 3rd Army, in full uniform, sat on an English hillside waiting for the General to speak.
When Patton arrived in a highly polished, long, black car, the band struck up “Generals March” and the men stood and snapped to attention. General Simpson introduced the General with these words: "We are here to listen to the words of a great man. A man who will lead you all into whatever you may face with heroism, ability, and foresight. A man who has proven himself amid shot and shell.” Patton quickly strode to the microphone and ordered the men to “Be seated.”
He began his address with these remarks: “Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about America wanting out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bullshit. Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. You are here today for three reasons. First, because you are here to defend your homes and your loved ones. Second, you are here for your own self respect, because you would not want to be anywhere else. Third, you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight. When you, here, everyone of you, were kids, you all admired the champion marble player, the fastest runner, the toughest boxer, the big league ball players, and the All-American football players. Americans love a winner. Americans will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American.”
Toward the end of his speech, Patton described an incident that involved, in his words, “one of the bravest men I ever saw…” When the man who was most feared by the German forces of World War II, makes that statement it is worthy of attention. What struck me most was why the General considered this individual so brave. Patton said:
“Each man must not think only of himself, but also of his buddy fighting beside him. We don’t want yellow cowards in this Army. They should be killed off like rats. If not, they will go home after this war and breed more cowards. The brave men will breed more brave men. One of the bravest men that I ever saw was a fellow on top of a telegraph pole in the midst of a furious fire fight in Tunisia. I asked what the hell he was doing up there. He answered, “Fixing the wire, Sir”. I asked, “Isn’t that a little unhealthy right about now?” He answered, “Yes Sir, but the Goddamned wire has to be fixed”. I asked, “Don’t those planes strafing the road bother you?” He answered, “No, Sir, but you sure as hell do!” Now, there was a real man. There was a man who devoted all he had to his duty, no matter how seemingly insignificant his duty might appear, no matter how great the odds.
