Editing George S. Patton (section)

== Pancho Villa Expedition ==
{{Main|Pancho Villa Expedition}}

In 1915, Lieutenant Patton was assigned to border patrol duty with A Troop of the 8th Cavalry, based in [[Sierra Blanca, Texas|Sierra Blanca]].{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=36}}{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=158–159}} During his time in the town, Patton took to wearing his M1911 [[M1911|Colt .45]] in his belt rather than a holster. His firearm [[Unintentional discharge (firearms)|discharged accidentally]] one night in a [[Western saloon|saloon]], so he swapped it for an ivory-handled [[Colt Single Action Army]] revolver, a weapon that would later become an icon of Patton's image.{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=9}}

In March 1916, Mexican forces loyal to [[Pancho Villa]] crossed into [[New Mexico]] and [[Battle of Columbus (1916)|raided the border town of Columbus]]. The violence in [[Columbus, New Mexico|Columbus]] killed several Americans. In response, the U.S. launched the [[Pancho Villa Expedition]] into Mexico. Chagrined to discover that his unit would not participate, Patton appealed to expedition commander [[John J. Pershing]], and was named his personal [[Aide-de-camp|aide]] for the expedition. This meant that Patton would have some role in organizing the effort, and his eagerness and dedication to the task impressed Pershing.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=162–163}}{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=10}} Patton modeled much of his leadership style after Pershing, who favored strong, decisive actions and commanding from the front.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|p=165}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=31}} As an aide, Patton oversaw the logistics of Pershing's transportation and acted as his personal courier.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=38–39}}

[[File:1915-dodge-archives.jpg|thumb|The durability of the 1915 Dodge Brothers Model 30-35 touring car won renown for the new automaker following its use in the 1916 [[Pancho Villa Expedition]]{{sfn|Jowett|de Quesada|2006|p=25}}]]
In mid-April, Patton asked Pershing for the opportunity to command troops, and was assigned to Troop C of the [[U.S. 13th Cavalry Regiment|13th Cavalry]] to assist in the manhunt for Villa and his subordinates.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=40}} His initial combat experience came on 14 May 1916, in what would become the first motorized attack in the history of U.S. warfare. A force of ten soldiers and two civilian guides, under Patton's command, with the [[U.S. 6th Infantry Regiment|6th Infantry]] in three [[Dodge]] touring cars surprised three of Villa's men during a foraging expedition, killing [[Julio Cárdenas]] and two of his guards.{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=10}}{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|pp=41–42}} It was not clear if Patton personally killed any of the men, but he was known to have wounded all three.{{sfn|D'Este|1995|pp=172–175}} The incident garnered Patton both Pershing's good favor and widespread media attention as a "bandit killer".{{sfn|Zaloga|2010|p=10}}{{sfn|Brighton|2009|p=32}} Shortly after, he was promoted to [[first lieutenant]] while a part of the 10th Cavalry on 23 May 1916.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=36}} Patton remained in Mexico until the end of the year. President [[Woodrow Wilson]] forbade the expedition from conducting aggressive patrols deeper into Mexico, so it remained encamped in the Mexican border states for much of that time. In October Patton briefly retired to California after being burned by an exploding gas lamp.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=43}} He returned from the expedition permanently in February 1917.{{sfn|Axelrod|2006|p=46}}