Why did George S. Patton support tank warfare between World War I and World War II?

George S. Patton’s support for tank warfare was rooted in his direct combat experience during World War I. In November 1917, he became the first officer appointed to the newly formed U.S. Army Tank Corps, where he was responsible for organizing, training, and equipping these units.1

Patton’s commitment to armored warfare remained a central focus throughout the interwar years. Having witnessed the potential of mobile, mechanized forces on the battlefield—including leading the first U.S. tank units into action during the Saint-Mihiel offensive in 1918—he became a vigorous proponent of the technology's strategic value. His advocacy continued even as he reverted to the rank of captain following the war, eventually culminating in his command of the 2nd Armored Division in 1941 and his reputation as an outstanding practitioner of mobile warfare during World War II.123