As a military history expert with a keen interest in the intricacies of military ranks and the individuals who have achieved them, I can provide a detailed response to your question about General George S. Patton and his military stars.
General George S. Patton, a prominent figure in the United States Army during World War II, is often associated with the image of a dynamic and aggressive commander. His leadership and tactical prowess on the battlefield have been the subject of numerous historical accounts and analyses. The question of how many stars Patton had relates directly to the highest rank he achieved in the military hierarchy.
To understand the context of military ranks, it's important to note that in the United States Army, the rank of general is further divided into various levels, including brigadier general (one star), major general (two stars), lieutenant general (three stars), and general (four stars). Above these ranks, there is the rank of General of the Army, which is a five-star rank, but this is an exceptional rank that is rarely held and was only established during specific periods of war.
George Patton achieved the rank of four-star general, which is a significant accomplishment in the military. This rank is also referred to as a "full general" and is the highest rank that can be held by an active-duty officer without being a wartime promotion to a higher rank, such as General of the Army. Patton's promotion to this rank was a recognition of his exceptional leadership and strategic skills, which were instrumental in several key victories during World War II.
It is true that Patton succeeded Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a five-star general, as the Military Governor of the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany. However, it's important to clarify that Eisenhower's rank of General of the Army was not a direct military rank that Patton could succeed into. The rank of General of the Army was a temporary rank created during World War II and was held by only a few individuals, including Eisenhower. When Eisenhower was promoted to Army Chief of Staff, a position that did not require the five-star rank, he effectively reverted to the rank of four-star general, which is the highest permanent rank in the U.S. Army.
Patton's rank of four stars was a testament to his military achievements and his ability to lead large-scale mechanized forces effectively. His tactics and leadership style have been studied extensively, and he is often credited with being one of the best commanders of mechanized forces on either side during the war. Despite his controversial personality and some of the decisions he made, Patton's military career and his rank of four stars are a significant part of American military history.
In conclusion, General George S. Patton held the rank of four-star general, which is the highest rank that can be achieved by an active-duty officer in the United States Army under normal circumstances. His leadership and contributions to the Allied victory in World War II are well-documented and continue to be a subject of interest for military historians and enthusiasts alike.

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George Patton achieved four-star rank for his battlefield exploits as one of the best commanders of mechanized forces on either side during the War. He succeeded Dwight D. Eisenhower as the Military Governor of the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany, when Ike -- a five-star general -- was promoted to Army Chief of Staff.read more >>