Major General, George Smith Patton IV

  General Notes:

OBITUARY
Maj. Gen. George S. Patton, Dead At 80

Maj. Gen. George S. Patton, U.S. Army, retired, 81, of Hamilton, son of the late Gen. George S. Patton Jr. and Beatrice Ayer Patton, died Sunday, June 27, 2004, at his home after a long illness.

Gen. Patton had been the owner of Green Meadows Farm in Hamilton. He retired from active duty in the fall of 1980, after 34 years of service to his country, which included combat experience in Korea, nine years of assignments in Germany and three tours of duty in Vietnam during the conflict there. His assignments, after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1946, ranged from company commander in both Europe and Korea, through staff and command assignments and attendance at all U.S. Army schools, from basic officer to the Army War College. His career culminated in commands of the 11th Armored Cavalry "Blackhorse" Regiment in Vietnam and the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

Gen. Patton's education included a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Military Academy, a master's degree in international affairs from George Washington University and the Senior Managers in Government Program at Harvard University.
Gen. Patton was awarded many decorations for both bravery and meritorious service, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Purple Heart and two awards of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest decoration for bravery in combat.

After his retirement in 1980, Gen. Patton devoted his attention to developing land in Essex County, which had belonged to his family. Assisted by state agricultural and environmental authorities, local farmers and hands-on experience, he and his farm management team created a working commercial farm and firewood operation, with special focus on small fruit crops. His Green Meadows Farm was recently awarded certification as a full organic operation and has established a community-supported agricultural (CSA) program.

A dedicated sailor, fisherman and hunter in his recreational time, Gen. Patton also served on a variety of civic boards, including the board of trustees of Norwich University, the West Point Fund Committee, the Hamilton Historical Society and the Board of Trustees of the Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute.

He is survived by: his wife of 52 years, Joanne Holbrook Patton; five children, Mother Margaret Georgina Patton, OSB; George S. Patton Jr., Robert H. Patton and his wife, Vicki, Helen Patton Plusczyk and her husband, Dr. Thorsten Plusczyk, and Benjamin Wilson Patton and his wife, Jennifer; six grandchildren, Robert and James Patton, Ingmar and Ragnar Plusczyk, Thomas and Christian Zawacki; and one great-grandson, Zachary Zawacki.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 7, 10 a.m., from St. John's Episcopal Church, Beverly Farms. Burial will take place at Arlington Cemetery, Washington, D.C., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Army Emergency Relief, the National Military Family Association, the West Point Fund, St. John's Episcopal Church, or the New England Small Farm Institute.

Hamilton Wenham Chronicle
Wednesday, June 30, 2004

  Burial Notes:

St. Johns Episcopal Church
10:00am

  Life Events:

1. Social Security Number. George PATTON

Birth Date: 24 Dec 1923
Death Date: 27 Jun 2004
Social Security Number: 031-30-0902
State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: Massachusetts
Death Residence Localities ZIP Code: 01982
Localities: Hamilton, Essex, Massachusetts S Hamilton, Essex, Massachusetts South Hamilton, Essex, Massachusetts

George married Joanne Holbrook.