Valor

General Patton loved his soldiers. He lauded their valor and bravery and nothing tortured him more than when his men were killed or wounded. He was famous for driving from post to post in his open-air jeep, oblivious to any danger to German snipers who considered him a top target. He visited his men to inspire and thank them with his uplifting rhetoric. He also visited his wounded soldiers. It was heartbreaking for Patton to see his soldiers who had been profoundly wounded while displaying their daring and valor on the battlefield.

What Patton couldn’t stand was to see any of his soldiers compare what he believed to be weakness or cowardice. If a soldier’s actions were anything less than what Patton considered acceptable and valorous, he concluded that they were cowards who shamed the uniform of the American soldier.

Nothing moved him more than heroic...