LEADERSHIP STUDIES GENERAL GEORGE SMITH PATTON JR“We will attack and attack until we are exhausted…..and then we will attack again”- General George Smith Patton JrIntroduction1. The two great wars of the last century featured numerous military leaders revered for their qualities and contributions. If we ever attempted to rank these leaders, the name of General George Smith Patton Junior would surely find its way into the top few. Military historians of contemporary times consider General Patton a leader who can be studied to draw important lessons about leadership attributes. His contribution in both World Wars places him in an undisputed position of honor.2. General Patton was a soldier in the truest sense. Born into a military family, he had an environment conducive to soldier culture. He followed his father and grandfather to the same military institute to acquire lessons in the military profession. Patton was a lover of military history. He had such an affinity with the warfare of the past that he believed in its reincarnation throughout the ages as great military leaders.3. Although an average military academy student, General Patton was a champion cavalryman, a valiant swordsman, an accurate marksman, a renowned athlete, a sword designer, a believer in God, a famous poet, and a loving father and husband . He always maintained immaculate attire and enforced the same on his subordinates. Patton has always respected his rivals from both his friends and enemies. All these attributes made him an aggressive leader with a deep affection for the men he led. The other side of Patton paints him as a short-tempered, too blunt and often ruthless executor with disregard for details. The vulgarity in the expression was a dark side of Patton, but it also made him extremely popular, especially when he used it to describe the enemy. Patton had a clear vision of leadership. His maxims coupled with his actions on the battlefield demonstrated him as a master of the art of leadership.