The Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor Evolving into the General George Patton Museum “Home of Legendary Leadership”

Fort Knox Museum Broadens Mission to Promote and Tell Story of Army Leadership

Changes are afoot at Fort Knox and the impact of those changes will influence the community on post, the surrounding area and the Patton Museum.

The current Patton Museum's General Patton Collection will remain open to the public while Cavalry and Armor exhibits are being packed-out and the building undergoes renovation. At the same time, the effort continues to raise the money to build a new General George Patton Museum building.

In 2005, the Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission ordered changes that are transforming Fort Knox from a training center focused on the Army’s proud Armor heritage to a multi-mission post in charge of major administrative functions for the Army and home to a combat brigade.

The Army Armor School is relocating to Fort Benning, Georgia between now and September 2011. Armor will be combined with Infantry to become the Maneuver Force, and Fort Benning will be designated the Maneuver Center of Excellence. Fort Knox has been in the process of transformation into the Human Resources Center of Excellence for several years. The following commands are making their way or have already located on post:

• The Human Resource Center of Excellence, which is responsible for all Soldier career management, from swearing in to departing service. Its units include Accessions Command, Human Resources Command, Army Recruiting Command and Army Cadet Command.
• 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, 3,600 soldiers strong, which is slated for deployment to Afghanistan.
• 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, previously deployed to Iraq serving as senior logistical support headquarters command and control in charge of transportation, supplies, ordinance and maintenance.
• Other forces including the 19th Engineer Battalion, recently returned from a twelve month deployment to Afghanistan in April 2010, the 84th regional training command, and the 100th division.

A recent News-Enterprise Article detailed the moves, which will bring a number of beneficial changes to the area. The population of the post will increase from 31,000 in 2008 to 42,000.

The Human Resources Center, an 883,000-square-foot complex, onesixth the size of the Pentagon, will be the biggest office building in Kentucky. The Center will employ more than 4,500 military and civilian workers and contractors by next year. Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley estimated a $40 to $45 million increase in payroll by the time the realignment is completed. By 2014, he said the post expects to have 2,527 homes with 850 of these new homes and 1,300 others renovated.

“This is a tectonic change for Fort Knox, which for 70 years has been known as the home of armor. Now the post is home to functions that deal with the Army as a whole. Fort Knox, like the Museum, will be broadening and deepening its mission,” said Chris Kolakowski, Director, the General George Patton Museum.

The museum will offer dynamic interpretations and experiences that explore Patton’s Legendary Leadership and provide a look at the heritage of the new commands that make Fort Knox their home.

Don Williams, Vice Chairman of the Patton Museum Foundation, said the new additions to the post tie into this leadership message based on the leadership provided by the active duty solders and the leadership development that is an important part of the Human Resources and Accessions Commands functions. “Accessions and Recruiting represent the United States Army to the American people and the world. They have a national and international reach,” said Kolakowski. “As the home of ROTC, Fort Knox is literally building the Army leaders of the future. We can use the story of General Patton, and the leaders he interacted with to tell the story of Army leadership,” he noted.

It will also be a canvas for exploration of the kind of teamwork promoted by General Patton, who said, “An Army is a team. It lives, sleeps, eats, and fights as a team.”

With that legacy firmly in place and the particulars under development, visitors can expect a world class museum to emerge from the transition.

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Off the Bookshelf

Recommended Reading

Looking for a great read that will expand your knowledge of General Patton and military history? Friends of the museum offer suggested reading each month. This month we feature the selections of Paul Posey, supporter of the Patton Museum Foundation and lifelong student of all things Patton. Posey’s father was stationed in Knutsford, England, which was once home to the General’s command and the 3rd Army. At age 13, Posey, accompanied by his father, toured the battle sites in Europe and visited Patton’s final resting place in Luxembourg. Posey is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served in the Special Forces as a Green Beret and medic. He is retired and lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife.

War As I Knew It
George S. Patton, Jr.

This volume is General Patton’s diary with off-color language removed. It provides an intimate look into the mind of the great general.

The Patton Papers, 1885 – 1940
Martin Blumenson

Martin Blumenson was given full access by the Patton family to General Patton’s diaries, letters, and archives. From that material, he developed a comprehensive portrait of the Patton mixing excerpts from family documents with his own expert commentary.

Patton: A Genius For War
Carlo d’Este

This is the definitive work on Patton, covering his life from his birth to his death. It is considered the most outstanding work ever written about Patton’s life.

Patton: The Man Behind the Legend
Martin Blumenson

When the Patton Papers was originally written, it was assumed the author was not a fan of General Patton. This work shows his change of opinion about Patton and his appreciation for the man that Patton was. This work is written with a more “humanistic” view rather than from a strictly military viewpoint.

Patton, GI Photographers
George S. Patton

This book contains photographs that General Patton took throughout his battles in Europe, accompanied by a written narrative. Many of these photographs were discovered in the archives and first published in this book.

General Patton’s Principles for Life and Leadership
Porter Williamson

Mr. Williamson offers General Patton’s theories on war and leadership, detailing how Patton was a superb leader of men. The author applies these principles to everyday living.

Patton & His Pistols
Milton F. Perry

This work describes the history and features of many of General Patton’s personal firearms, including his famous 45 revolver. It has additional personal tidbits that are very interesting.

Drive
Charles R. Codman

Charles Codman was Patton’s personal aide throughout the General’s command in North Africa, Sicily, and Europe. The writer describes his experiences serving with General Patton and the events of the war from his own point of view.