General George S. Patton is one of the most famous American generals in history. It can be argued that he was one of the proudest Americans to ever live. This is reflected in his many speeches but particularly his famous “Blood and Guts” speech where he addresses the men of the Third Army Division. Using rhetoric such as, “We have the finest food, the finest equipment, the best spirit, and the best men in the world. Why, by God, I actually pity those poor sons of bitches we’re going up against. By God, I do!” to describe how the American army is superior to the enemy [in this case the German]. While WWII is less of an example of American Exceptionalism than the Korean and Vietnam War, this attitude Patton has and the Allied victory further pushes the idea of American Exceptionalism into the American Public. This ideology would not be shaken until the Vietnam War.
General Patton posing for a photo