Northeast Wisconsin has a unique connection to General George Patton. His grandson formed a relationship with a WWII Veteran and legendary car salesman in Shawano.
Reuben Schaetzel is a legend is his own right, selling more than 17,000 cars throughout his career.
Wednesday, a brand new car brought the pair together, sharing their one-of-a-kind story.
It's Reuben’s friendship with General Patton's Grandson, George Patton Waters, making this story special. They met at a hotel in Pilsen, exchanged stories, and realized Reuben drove a tank in Patton's army more than 70 years ago.
“Here comes this jeep down the road with four stars on the license plate,” said Reuben Schaetzel, with Buss Chevrolet.
He ended up meeting General Patton after his tank took a direct hit.
“He said good luck solider, jumped off the tank, back in his jeep and away he went. I says, I'll be damned, it's General Patton,” said Schaetzel.
It's that connection creating quite the bond between the two.
“To hear what they did and what they went through,” said George Patton Waters. “You can read personal feelings, but when somebody tells you, you hear the rumble of the tank, feel his body, and watch his reactions.”
The two have even traveled together through the Czech Republic.
So when Patton’s grandson was in need of a new car, who better to sell it than Reuben?
“I feel honored to be able to sell you a vehicle when you live a million miles away and you could buy it from your local dealer, and you chose me instead. Just because your grandpa and me had a good working relationship,” said George Patton Waters.
Waters traveled more than a thousand miles from South Carolina to buy the car from his friend.
“I think it's a beautiful car. I mean, it will always symbolize our friendship,” said George Patton Waters.
Patton's grandson says he's not sure if he'll drive the car back to South Carolina on his own, or have it shipped.
