| Why does George S. Patton?' Jeep have "War Eagle!" written
on it? There are several possible answers. "General Patton
was stationed at Fort Benning and apparently liked Auburn football," said
alumnus Pete Turnham, who served under Patton during World War II.
"I have been told that he said he wanted his troops to fight like those
fighting Auburn Tigers." Turnham "also heard that one of Patton's
aides was an Auburn man, and he sold the general on Auburn." Another
theory is that Patton's driver was an Auburn fan. Still another is
that Patton was simply using a subordinate's vehicle while he inspected
units of the 301st Combat Team at Strakonice, Czechoslovakia, soon after
Germany surrendered in 1945. If so, that commander might have been
an Auburn man. Perhaps the explanation is as simple as coincidence.
-- Photo: Auburn Alumnews |
