A TRADITION OF LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT THE PATTON FAMILY TREE

While General Patton's leadership is legendary, many people are unaware of the remarkable legacy of service that runs through all lines of the family. 

 

GENERAL JOHN KNIGHT WATERS

 

 

"Services was hif life.  He believed it was the best thing he had to give since he was not a rich man," said his son, George Patton Waters, who served in the Navy for five years reaching the rank of Lieutenant.  His brother, John K. Waters, Jr., served in the Army for 15 years and reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

 

"I learned the importance of dedication to success.  My father said that to succeed you need to look for the opportunity and make it happen.  You should do more than expected," said Waters.

 

While serving as a Lieutenant Colonel commanding a tank unit in combat in Tunisia, Waters was captured by the Germans and sent to a POW camp.  While in the camp, Waters served as a senior officer, imposing orders on the 1,500 men by getting them into uniform and conducting a twice daily formation.

 

"He held these guys together in a hostile environment while they were tired and hungry.  Under his influence they became soldiers again.  He didn't talk about his time there much, but he got the Distinguished Service Cross for his time as a POW," said Waters.

 

The camp changed locations, eventually settling in Hammelburg, Germany.  Waters spent two years, two months and ten days as a POW.  As the war drew to a close, an American task force, under orders by General Patton, attempted to liberate the camp.  They were eventually routed.

 

Waters and other officers were attempting white flag surrender when German SS troops shot Waters, seriously wounding him.  He was taken for dead, and removed from a body bag only after someone noticed it moving.

 

A week later the camp was liberated by American forces. Col Waters had a yearlong recovery before returning to duty.

 

Waters went on to an exemplary career that earned him the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart with Clusters, the Knight Commander Order of the British Empire and the Croix de Guerre with Palm.  He retired in 1966, after 35 years of service, as a full General, having last served as Commander of the U.S. Army of the Pacific.

 

"He  was a good student of General Patton.  He believed, as Patton did, that if you take good care of your men they will take good care of you," said Waters.

 

John Knight Waters died at age 82 in 1989.  At his burial, fellow POWs were in tears as they dropped red roses onto his casket, and said a final goodbye.