He is well known for a variety of things, mainly for stomping the shit out of Rommel in North Africa (with help from the British we know, we know), but did you know that General George S. Patton, famous for any number of quotes or identifying personality pieces, such as his ivory-handled pistols, was an American Olympian. It just goes to show that there is myriad of choices when it comes to what one can accomplish in their lives.Although George Patton is known for his hard-charging leadership, and kicking the Desert Fox in the junk, the qualities that would define him in his more, prolific years were honed from a young age. He honed that tenacity and fighting spirit through training and ultimately competing the 1912 Olympic Games. His even, the Modern Pentathlon.The Modern Pentathlon is not for the faint of heart. You need to be physically and mentally fit, with an emphasis on the mentally fit portion. The events involved in the pentathlon were pistol shooting, swimming, equestrian, fencing, and running. As trying as being an Olympian already is, mastering those five disciplines well enough to even come close to medaling speaks volumes about the sheer ferocity of the mind and the tenacious pursuit of success.

Patton respectively placed twenty-first in the shooting, a poor performance that yet spurred him on in future events to compete even more vigorously. After the shooting debacle, he placed seventh in the swim, fourth in fencing, sixth in riding and third in running. Many people say that had he placed top ten in shooting he would have medaled.George S. Patton was fortunate to live many lives in his single lifespan. It is truly remarkable what the human spirit is capable of when given a singular focus and power of will to chase life and all of its adventures.More American Grit Stories Here:

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