Outdoor Armor Restoration Underway
The pace of transformation of the General George Patton Museum of Leadership picks up with the start of restoration of several pieces of armor presently on display in front of the museum. Some very important historic armored vehicles remain at Ft. Knox, and, once restored, these pieces of history will help tell story of Army leadership inside the museum.
On Thursday, 15 December 2011, Soldiers of the 19th Engineer Battalion, assisted by Soldiers from HQ, US Army Cadet Command, will begin transporting the vehicles in stages to Richardson Motor Pool. There, they will be undergo a cosmetic restoration and be repainted using historic colors and markings. When complete, they will all move back to the museum itself and be placed inside the building in preparation for incorporation into the permanent exhibits. Plans are being developed for the vehicles to go on display on an interim basis pending completion of permanent exhibits.
According to museum director Chris Kolakowski, this important work will be completed by 31 March 2012. "This is a very visible and important project," he added. "We know that the public is very interested in the museum's vehicle collection. This is a tangible way for people to know that the link between Ft. Knox and the history of armor remains an important consideration for the museum. At the same time, these armored vehicles will support our new focus on Army leadership."
Chance encounter with General Patton brings Fond du Lac, Wisconsin man to the General George Patton Museum.
World War II veteran Bob Wendt of Fond du Lac was reunited with the donkey cart he paraded around for Gen. George Patton during an impromptu photo shoot in 1944.
Read the article from the FDL Reporter.
The General George Patton Museum Evolves
The New Exhibits Include:
Fort Knox Today: Strength Starts Here
Provides an overview of the new units and commands residing at Fort Knox as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision. Units and commands include: 3-1, Cadet Command, USAREC, Accessions/Human Resources, 19th Engineer Battalion, USAR/84th, and 100th Division.
Being and Doing: Army Leadership through TimePatton in His Own Words
- Looks at selected U.S. Army leaders in terms of their character, presence, and intelligence. It also describes what effective U.S Army leaders do in terms of leading, developing, and achieving. Some of the highlighted leaders include General George C. Marshall, General Creighton Abrams, General Colin Powell, Lieutenant Hattie Brantley, and Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester.
- Other exhibits examine Army battlefield leadership during the Battles of Pusan in 1950, the Ia Drang Valley in 1965, the 1991 Persian Gulf War, and Afghanistan in 2001 and 2002.
Offers a glimpse into General George S. Patton’s legacy and accomplishments. It showcases personal effects and memorabilia from General Patton including his office van, ivory handled Colt 45, etc.
Fort Knox Through Time
Covers selected periods/topics of Fort Knox history including the Lincoln family, the gold vault, etc.
Current Museum Floor Plan (Click for larger view.)Here is a graphic that depicts the museum and current exhibits.
The General George Patton Museum Director interviewed by HistoryNet.
Museum Director Christopher Kolakowski discusses the museum re-opening.
View the article here.
