JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. — In a place steeped in military history, a new honor has been bestowed upon a legendary figure. Quarters 8 on Fort Myer, the residence of the vice chief of staff of the Army, now bears the name of one of its most storied occupants and lasting testament to the Warrior Ethos: Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.
A dedication ceremony took place in Quarters 8 on Feb. 4, hosted by the outgoing Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James Mingus and Mrs. Amy Mingus. They unveiled two commemorative plaques to honor Gen. Patton, as well as a photo of him in the house near the fireplace.
“The thanks for this go to Amy and Patty [Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy A. George’s spouse],” said Gen. Mingus. “Whenever they host here, they put together a program with the picture of Patton near the hearth. So, when they said, ‘why don’t we make this the Patton house?’ I said, ‘That’s a no-brainer.”
Patton lived in Quarters 8 as a colonel between 1938 and 1940 as he led the 3rd Cavalry. Due to renovations in Quarters 1, he shared this house with Gen. George C. Marshall after he became chief of staff of the Army on Sept. 1, 1939. That same day, Germany invaded Poland. After “Retreat” at 5 p.m. every day, the two would sit and discuss the tactics being used by German forces in Poland.
“I imagine that these discussions played a huge role in the shaping of our war strategy when we entered WWII,” said Joint Base Commander Col. Keith P. Sandoval. “It makes you think about the history of these quarters and all those tough decisions made for our Soldiers and Army, right here in these walls.”
The ceremony was made all the more poignant by the attendance of Patton's granddaughter, Helen Patton, who shared personal memories of the home.
“This is the hearth,” she said, speaking to the crowd about the importance of the home. “I remember coming here to Fort Myer as a child and playing with John Abrams and others. And I think about how high many of them rose.” She gifted the Quarters a book about Gen. Patton, family photos and a replica of his dog tag from World War II. Ms. Patton ended her speech with a family prayer, adding, “This was probably said many times around this dining room table.”
In naming this house in honor of Gen. Patton, its occupants are reminded of his great legacy. This is a legacy of leading from the front and of understanding that "a pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood." For every future vice chief of staff who occupies the home, it will serve as a constant reminder to lead a disciplined and courageous Army and to inspire generations of warfighters to come.
“Everybody remembers the [Patton] movie that came out in 1970. He was instantly, amongst my era, everybody’s hero,” said Gen. Mingus. “Every kid wanted to be Patton.”
Social Sharing