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n real life, actor GeorGe c. scott
looks nothing like the colorful and contro-
versial World War II general he portrayed in
“Patton,” the award-winning 1970 movie. One
Mount Pleasant resident does exhibit a marked
resemblance to the iconic Army officer, how-
ever, and for good reason. George Patton “Pat”
Waters is the grandson of Gen. George S. Patton Jr.
And Waters, though he knew his larger-than-life
grandfather for only 15 days, garnered some valuable les-
sons from the general that served him well later in life.
“I learned commitment – doing for others and not
just for yourself,” he said. “Despite what you see, he was a
humble person. This may be in conflict to what people saw
in Patton. He gave all the credit to the men who served
under him and did the job. He was a genuine person.”
Waters, now 75, has lived in Mount Pleasant for the
past 24 years. He met his grandfather only once, late in
the summer of 1945, when the general stayed with Waters
and his family during a 15-day victory tour at the close
of World War II. In his combat uniform, he left a lasting
impression on young George, who wasn’t quite 5 years old.
“He scared the hell out of me,” Waters remembered.
Patton’s Army footlocker also arrived, and inside were
Christmas presents for the four grandchildren he was
meeting for the first – and only – time. Among the gifts,
Waters recalled, were a Mauser rifle, pistols, a blood-
stained German uniform and helmets once worn by enemy
By Brian Sherman
A LASTING
Impression
PAT WATerS rememberS HIS FAmouS GrANdFATHer
soldiers, one of them distinguished by a bullet hole.
“Patton said this was the helmet of a hero,” Waters
pointed out. “He said he had died for his country, so he
regarded him to be a hero, despite the fact that he was also
a German.”
Photo by Brian Sherman.
Pat Waters displays the boots his
larger-than-life grandfather was
wearing when he was involved
in a fatal auto accident. In the
background is a portrait of Waters’
father, also an Army general.