Georgie was a a rich kid with delusions. He also decided the M4 Sherman, AKA The Ronson, was good enough and that the Allies didn't need a tank that could tangle with the Panzer V's and VI's without bursting into flames after taking one hit. Despite there being one already designed and ready for production.
Yes, but do you know "the REST of the story"??? (things like the improved model tank took more shipping volume than 2 Shermans? That it was underpowered and actually slower than a Tiger tank? That being "ready for production" means only that, and that means the inevitable mechanical bugs were yet to be found, let alone worked out, and that time was needed to produce them, and also to get the needed support parts (spare parts), ammo and such things into the system?) We were, despite horrid losses, WINNING with the Sherman, and Patton wasn't the only General who agreed two Shermans in Europe now was better than one Pershing at some as yet unknown future date...)
Patton was definitely an opinionated s.o.b., and he used colorful (and by today's standards, often offensive) metaphors. It was his style, and it got things done. it also got his ass in a sling, from time to time. It's history.
Do you realize that the quote about "pearl handled pistols" wasn't a slam against pearl or even pimps, it was a slam about the IGNORANCE of the questioner, not knowing the difference between pearl and ivory, and why one was tacky and the other a sign of class.
It may have been Andy Rooney who asked that question. He was a war correspondent and there, at the time. I never saw where he claimed to have been the guy who asked, but he inferred several times that he was there when it happened. And, for the rest of his life, including those years he spent being the final "opinion" segment on CBS 60 Minutes, he NEVER mentioned Patton, without mentioning Patton's "pearl handled pistols".
One would think he had a personal stake in the matter, to continue to do it for over half a century after Patton died....
Patton also said that he considered the M1 Garand "the finest battle implement ever devised". was he wrong there, too???
Put what ever you want on your pistol. It's YOURS. I don't mind Ivory, I don't even mind the look of pearl, neither are for me, but if you like them, fine.
I've even seen a set of Sterling Silver with Turquoise inlay grips made by Tiffany, probably cost more than my car. I thought they were totally tacky looking, but somebody obviously didn't....