The Spoils of War

Patton’s wound is slow to heal; during this time, however, Patton is promoted to colonel. Discharged from the hospital, Patton returns to duty as the war ends. He hopes for the Medal of Honor but is awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. With the war over, Patton spends the rest of his time overseas maintaining discipline, giving lectures on armored warfare and the future of tanks, and preparing for his return to the United States and his family. Patton prepares himself also for the fight to keep tanks in an independent Tank Corps as a vital weapons system for the US Army.

The Tank Master

Patton, after transferring to the United States Tank Corps, is now the head of the nation’s first light tank school. He has yet to develop the reputation for training he will attain by 1938 and show in the lead-up to American entry into World War II. In many ways this position will be the most important in Patton’s career. How he performs will make or break his career. Patton selects the land for the tank school and begins to develop the training center and fight for more officers and soldiers. The tank school slowly builds a cadre of instructors and students, but a lack of tanks slows training.

Land Crabs, Land Ironclads, Landships

The chapter covers the early history of what will become known as the tank and the creation of the United States Tank Corps. Patton is the first “tanker” in American military history. After leaving the staff of John J. Pershing, Patton embarks on an educational journey to learn about tanks. He attends tank school in France and tours the Renault tank factory. It is here that he learns to drive a tank and selects the Renault light tank for use by the United States Army. The Renault tank is covered in detail, and Patton prepares to establish the American light tank school in France.