M
aj. 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.
Funeral Services were held at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms on July 7,
2004 at 10:00 a.m. I attended the service. Read my account and see the photos here.
The General's remains were intered in Arlington National Cemetery August 27, 2004 at
11:00 A.M. Arlington National Cemetery 703-607-8000.
