General George Patton Museum

Off by 9 a.m. for the General George Patton Museum on Fort Knox Army Base, just 20 miles south of Louisville. Larry led the way. Neither of our GPSs had it right. However, Larry's took us right onto Fort Knox Army Base.

Of course, that wasn't going to be allowed.

There was little welcome there and fortunately there was a large turn-around.

This is a lot better....and we were very welcomed.....and it was free. Right up retirees alley.

George Smith Patton

November 11, 1885 to December 21, 1945

George Patton as a West Point Cadet

George Patton is considered one of the most successful combat generals in U.S. history.

The first officer assigned to the Tank Corps in WWI.

It was during WWII that he lead the Allies to victory in the invasion of Sicily. He was also instrumental in the liberation of Germany from the Nazi.

Old Blood and Guts

Patton's Mobile Office

Prior to visiting the museum I knew very little about General Patton other than he was a famous leader during WWI and WWII. The most surprising thing I learned was how he died.

While in the hospital and just prior to his death he ordered the investigation into the accident halted. He was concerned and aware of the consequences to a man's career from the possible outcome.

General Patton's 1938 Cadillac.

Hospitalized for 12 days, he finally succumbed to his injuries on December 21st. He lay in state at the Villa Reiner, one of the stately homes in Heidelberg. Before his death he requested that he be buried with his soldiers. His body was put on a funeral train and transported to Luxembourg's Military Cemetery in nearby Hamm, where 3,000 American soldiers lie, many having served under General Patton in the 3rd Army.

On the way to the cemetery aboard a gun carriage he was given a seventeen-round volley of salute by a French battery.

He was buried on December 24, 1945.

Also on exhibit was the first responder fire engine during 9-11. A fire broke out from the fuel spilling out of the towers ( okay, some say this was at the Pentagon not the Towers, I'll look into that) and the fire engine burned. It was salvaged by the U.S. Army as a historical artifact and put on display at the General George Patton Museum just days before our visit.

The restoration was halted to preserve the effects of 9-11.

More interesting exibits.

So that was the end of our visit to George Patton's Museum. We were so hungry we found the first Steak n Shake we could.

We realized we hadn't been to a Steak n Shake since Port Clinton, 17 days ago. It was yummy.

Pronounced "Moody Deer", yeah, go figure...I prefer the french pronunciation "Moo Tard Dee Air". GPS coordinates were needed to find the place because the address was alien to the GPS, all of ours.