A Soldier's Story: Major General Fox Conner
Major General Fox Conner could be considered the most influential general. Born on November 2, 1874, in Slate Springs, Mississippi, and graduated from West Point in 1898. Initially, he wanted to be a Calvary officer. However, the Army decided otherwise and placed General Fox Conner in the infantry. He served in the Spanish American War, Panama, and World War I, with his after-action report on WWI influencing the National Defense Act of 1920. While General Fox Conner had an outstanding career and was very well awarded, he is most known for his mentoring. Taking some of the most promising soldiers under his wing, he is the role model for some of the most famous generals of World War II, including Marshall, Patton, and Eisenhower. Major General Fox Conner is also known for his three principles of war : 1. Never fight unless you have to. 2. Never fight alone. 3. Never fight for long. A lifelong learner, Major General Fox Conner also taught himself French, German, and Spani