Story:

After being discovered in the motor pool at forward operating base Kalsu, a four week-old puppy was on the verge of being euthanized when the base’s Combat Stress Control Unit stepped in and saved his life.  Quickly the puppy became a beloved member of this Air Force team, with mostly surrogate moms to dote on him.  General George Patton seemed a dignified enough name for this puppy that preferred to give orders rather than take them.  Escorting the team to work every day, Patton quickly became a fixture in the clinic.  All those who sought the help of the unit’s counselors received an added bonus – Patton.  Being a typical puppy, his comical antics could cheer up anyone and make the horrors of war disappear, at least for awhile.

As the team’s time in Iraq drew to a close, it was decided that Major Jennifer Mann would become Patton’s permanent mom.  Prior to leaving Iraq, Patton was taken to the security company compound used by Operation Baghdad Pups at the time.  At this location were 22 other dogs and cats, all waiting to fly home thanks to the assistance of FedEx.  Operation Baghdad Pups Program Manager Terri Crisp and Volunteer Bev Westerman flew to Baghdad to care for the group of animals for three days as the security team picked up the animals from their various locations throughout Iraq.

Out of all the dogs and cats, Patton was the one that could not be kept confined.  No matter how inventive Terri and Bev were in their efforts to restrain him, Patton would find a way to escape.  He was one determined and creative puppy.

On one such occasion, after managing to wiggle his way through a temporary barrier that had been set up specifically for him, Patton was found lying in the marbled entry hall of the main building used by the security company team.  Terri and Bev had been told that the animals would not be allowed inside this building and they had been abiding by the rule – but not Patton.  When they located him stretched out on the cool floor, with passers-by stepping over the sleeping puppy so as not to disturb him, they were confused.  When they attempted to remove Patton, they quickly were told he could stay.  “After all he is General George Patton,” one of the guys explained.  We soon came to learn that whatever Patton wanted, he got; a habit he developed when he had five different moms intent on spoiling him.

Now living in Ohio, Patton continues to win the hearts of everyone he meets.  Still, there are countless men and women who served in Iraq that will not soon forget the four-legged general and what he did to save them.