William the Conqueror (1942 – 1955), also known as Willie, was General George Patton's dog.
Adoption
The dog was originally named Punch and he was the pet of an RAF pilot who sometimes took the dog on bombing missions. When the pilot didn't return from a mission, his wife sold the dog. Patton's staff purchased the dog on March 4, 1944, in England. Patton named him Willie after a boy that he met during the Great Depression and not because of William the Conqueror as it is commonly believed.
World War II
During the Second World War, Patton was always accompanied by his loyal dog during his campaigns in Luxembourg, France and Belgium. This friendship was captured in various photos, with Willie always walking beside the General.
Life after Patton's death
After General Patton's death on December 21, 1945, Willie's future became uncertain.
Willie was sent home to live out the rest of his life as the beloved dog of a fallen warrior with the General's wife and daughters.
Death and more
Willie died in 1955, outliving Patton and his wife, being buried in an unmarked grave by a stone wall on the General's property, which is still owned by the Patton Family.
In 1970, Willie was portrayed in several scenes in Patton's biographical movie, Patton.
A high bronze statue of Patton and Willie stands today at the General Patton Memorial Museum thirty miles east of Indio, California.