george patton wife death

She was dead within days. While I knew little of this great man save what minor things that I had learned in my youth I was moved to silence. Stories of General George Pattons encounters with the Russians are legendary, and some may well be apocryphal. Patton had wanted to push on to Berlin, but Eisenhower rejected the idea, deeming the cost too high for a city already allotted to the Soviets by the terms of the Yalta agreement. In the final minute of the ceremony, Master Sergeant William G. Meeks, the man who had served Patton faithfully as his orderly since April 1942, presented Beatrice with the flag that had draped the coffin. Patton was a field commander in the finest sense. During the U.S. occupation of Germany, George Patton was commanding the U.S. Fifteenth Army, a paper army gathering historical information about the war. Why didnt I think of it? At 5:55 p.m. on December 21, 1945, General George S. Patton, Jr. passed away in his sleep. Here's a wild story about General George Patton, hard-driving hero (and cancelled-in-his-own-time villain) of the U.S. Army during World War II. Ive always admired Patton, he was a great leader of fighting men and a natural leader of men. Just like Churchill was a great war leader. While some have mourned what was a tragic loss at the time, others over the decades have theorized Patton's death was anything but an accident. One news service said pictures of the general were strewn around her. I cant understand why Patton wasnt brought back to the US for burial at West Point, like his wife wanted. Assassins!A Confederate spy was accused of helping kill Abraham Lincoln. Advance elements of the Third Army reached Bastognes tenacious defenders on December 26, and additional reinforcements followed over subsequent days. He accepted the job with the Fifteenth Army, explaining this away in his diary by writing that in resigning I would save my self-respect at the expense of my reputation but would become a martyr too soon. He went on in his diary to justify his acceptance of the Fifteenth Army command as follows: I was reluctant, in fact unwilling, to be party to the destruction of Germany under the pretense of denazification. On May 26, 1910, he married Beatrice Banning Ayer, the daughter of Boston industrial tycoon Frederick Ayer. A very unique man indeed. Many historians have written about the famous Buffalo Soldiers of the all-Black 92nd Infantry Division, who fought with distinction during World War II. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his paralysis and breathed his last before the move could be made. The Real Story of General George Patton, Jr's Death & Final Days Following his campaign in Western Europe, George S. Patton had difficulty adjusting to peacetime and was fatally injured in an automobile accident. There is information (although perhaps not necessarily reaching the level of evidience, be that as it may) of foul play. Gen. George Patton's wife put a Hawaiian curse on his ex-mistress. General Patton was struck down the day before he was scheduled to make a triumphant return to the United States. 1945 General George S. Patton dies General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. 3rd Army, dies from injuries suffered not in battle but in a freak car accident. Who in hell let him in? In the Meuse-Argonne offensive a few weeks later, Patton was badly wounded by a machine-gun bullet. Do you want me to give it back? Over the next 10 days, they cleared the entire region north of the Moselle River, trapping thousands of Germans. Was General George S. Patton, America's most famous WWII general, murdered in December 1945? The Pattons had been married for 35 years, with minimal domestic turmoil, except for an apparent dalliance the general had with Gordon in 1936, according to Patton biographer, Carlo DEste. Pattons diary entry ended with the words, I took the train., The following day Bedell Smith phoned Patton and read a letter to him from Eisenhower. Along with the faux pas committed during his Boston speech, Pattons past indiscretions continued to dog him. Patton as a four-star general. He reaped no laurels from the peace, but those he won in war will remain green for a long time., Pattons letter to Beatrice, written the day after his meeting with Ike, indicates the turmoil in his mind: The noise against me is the only means by which Jews and Communists are attempting and with good success to implement a further dismemberment of Germany. He ended it by saying that he had no wish to be executioner to the best race in Europe., With regard to the fateful September 22 press conference, Patton later wrote: This conference cost me the command of the Third Army, or rather, of a group of soldiers, mostly recruits, who then rejoiced in that historic name, but I was intentionally direct, because I believed that it was then time for people to know what was going on. Gen Patton's Clear Vision - Why He Was Murdered 12-5-9 At the end of World War II, one of America's top military leaders accurately assessed the shift in the balance of world power which that war had produced and foresaw the enormous danger of communist aggression against the West. George passed away on the 23 rd of September 2018, aged 72. I was overwhelmed and prayed in front of his grave. I was stationed in Germany in the early 1970s and was hospitalized for several weeks at the US Army Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. This photo shows Gen. Patton's dog Willie after the general's death. To his superiors, though, General George Patton remained, as in the past, a potential embarrassmenta missile that might go off track at any moment a missile that needed to be kept under tight control. His normal cavalry breeches, swagger stick, and pistols had been left behind. I am extremely proud of our General Patton and Im pretty sure you are too! His first words to his wife were, Im afraid, Bea, this may be the last time we see each other., Needless to say, rumors soon began to circulate that the accident that had led to Pattons death was no accident. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. December 21 is the 70 th anniversary of the death of General George S. Patton, Jr., renowned and controversial general and subject of the unforgettable 1970 eponymous motion picture. In the case of Europe, he was convinced it would soon become Communist, and in the case of the Nazis he saw practical problems. By: Martin Blumenson (author of: The Patton Papers). The incident nearly destroyed the Pattons marriage, left Beatrice crushed and the general stricken with remorse. It took the form of a gala evening in the ballroom of the Spa Hotel in Bad Nauheim, and Patton found himself once again surrounded by friends and the center of attention. Well, my dear Marshal Zhukov, let me tell you this. Most of his time, however, was spent preparing his book War As I Knew It. He always said Patton saved my life, I would not be home by now, but a war prisoner in Russia. Patton could never forgive Ike for removing him from command of the Third Army. Patton is said to have predicted his own death to both his daughters, Ruth Ellen and Bee, during a visit to the latters home in Washington shortly before his return to Germany. His formal education did not begin until age 11, but, in time, he became a voracious reader and later in life published numerous articles on military subjects. Wife of David Crockett: Spouse(s) James Patton (d. 1813), David Crockett (1815-1836) Children: George Patton, Margaret Ann Patton, Robert Patton, . During their two-hour meeting Eisenhower was more excited than I have ever seen him, remembered Patton in his diary. Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the Third Army to relieve Bastogne, and Patton repositioned his force with astonishing speed. General Patton was the greatest US Army combat general of WWII. Soon, the five foot five airman would make US military aviation history. Thank you for the long article. He wrote in his diary, If we let Germany and the German people be completely disintegrated and starved, they will certainly fall for Communism, and the fall of Germany for Communism will write the epitaph of democracy in the United States. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. But at the recommendation of Major General Geoffrey Keyes, Pattons deputy commander in North Africa and Sicily, Beatrice made up her mind. Finally, the general was moved to the front of the entire cemetery, where, today, patio stones protect the ground and a white chain-link barrier preserves the grass around Patton. A group of rabbis, still dressed in their concentration camp uniforms, offer prayers at General Pattons grave. She was 30. The road took us through Luxemburg and Dad showed us all about Pattons Tank and the history of the Ardennes since we were going through them Even in Bitburg and in the small villages around the B-50 that goes to Spangdahlem Air For Base like Dudeldorf you see traces of your Grandpas tanks on the sides of stones village entrance that were not much wider than the tanks. Following the service, the coffin, accompanied by Beatrice who was supported by Pattons old friend General Geoffrey Keyes, was taken to Heidelberg station along a route lined by some 6,000 U.S. soldiers. One staff officer wrote later: It was obvious he was undergoing deep and gnawing turmoil.. However, fewer accounts exist of Operation Flashpoint, Ninth US Armys assault crossing of the Rhine, which began on March 24. Her mother was his wife's half-sister. Patton handed over command of his beloved Third Army to another cavalryman, General Lucian Truscott, on October 7, 1945. Such a feat was made possible in large part by Pattons intelligence officer, Col. Oscar Koch, who had predicted the German offensive on the basis of a shrewd analysis of enemy troop strength and disposition. We examine the circumstances and the theories.Dr. German 10th army escaped to the defensive line and prolonged the war in Italy. He also breakfasted with Count Bernadotte and was able to enjoy a specially staged ice carnival and hockey game in the Olympic stadium. I then said that I should be allowed to continue the command of the Third Army and the government of Bavaria, remembered Patton. The U.S. joined the Great War 100 years ago. Known for his aggressive nature just as much as his many . Another embolism had struck his left lung. Another was Sean Flynn, Erroll Flynns son, who was a combat photograher at the same time and who almost certainly would have photographed someone as significant as a Patton descendant in combat. In the gray skies above, an aircraft circled, attempting to bring Lieutenant General Walton Walker, one of Pattons former corps commanders, to the funeral, but low cloud cover prevented it from landing. The French government, grateful for Pattons role in liberating their country, offered to bury him in Napoleons tomb, where a number of great marshals were laid to rest. The route from Luxembourg City station to the U.S. cemetery was lined by troops from the United States, Belgium, France, and Luxembourg, and the cortge was followed by Prince Felix of Luxembourg, two French, one Italian, and numerous American generals, including Gay and Truscott. Kevin M. Hymel is a historian for the US Army. So, how much is George S. Patton worth at the age of 60 years old? Updates? No doubt with this in mind Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson did just that at a press conference in Washington on June 14; Patton was left merely to add a few comments about the Germans and the Third Army. Eisenhauers job was both military and political. Whether or not these were his own or due to too much cooperation with the British I dont know. Great read. Eisenhower, Bradley and the like had never been to a battlefield until after the battle. She was then given a choice of three large U.S. military cemeteries in Europe and chose the one at Hamm, three miles east of Luxembourg City. Patton was greeted by the chief of staff of the Army and eight former members of the 1912 Olympic pentathlon team and was later received by the king and the crown prince. A 12-man squad raised its rifles, and a three-round volley of salutes echoed into the Luxembourg hills. At least, I have done my best as God gave me the chance.. He is the author of Pattons Photographs: War As He Saw Itand Patton: Legendary World War II Commander(with Martin Blumenson). When she returned, her husband had already died. He discovered that the German organization set on behalf of Patton to administer Bavaria was riddled with former Nazis. When his wife asked about birthday plans he curiously responded: 'No Glenice. Despite Pattons indiscretions and lack of interest in his overall duties, in August 1945 Bavaria was judged by Secretary of War Stimson to be the best-governed area in the whole U.S. European Theater of Operations (ETO), an opinion apparently shared by his deputy. George S. Patton, who was the son of the famous World War II General and who became a Major General in the Army himself, died June 27, 2004, at his home in Hamilton, Mass., at age 80. During the demobilization that followed World War I, Patton reverted to the permanent rank of captain. After the German surrender, Patton campaigned vigorously for a command in the Pacific theatre in the ongoing war against Japan. Waters spoke with members of the Winyah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution about his famous grandfather. The notoriously outspoken George S. Patton was (not surprisingly) far less discreet about his many dalliances. Patton noted in his diary that after a bout of heavy whiskey drinking during and after the meal, the Russian went out cold, while he himself walked out under my own steam. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. He did his job and did it well. By not listening to him when he wanted to re-arm the German army, put him in charge with his third army and kick to Russians back to where they belong has been proven to be the worst blunder in military history. Gen. John J. Pershing and accompanied him on a punitive expedition into Mexico. Behind them are Beatrices brother, Frederick Ayer, and Major General Hobart Hap Gay, who was with Patton at the time of his car accident. Josiah Gray finishes April with a flourish as Nats avoid a series sweep. I wish I were young enough to fight in the next one [war]. It told him he was to assume his new appointment on October 8. Daves Hot Chicken will have you begging for more, and maybe for mercy. Lucian truscott had US Army six corps off the beach in Anzio And trapped the German 10th army in the mountains. Showing a few signs of recovery, his doctors put him in a body cast to prepare him for a flight home to the United States. When Fort Knox shipped out most of its old Army tanks in 2011, the General George Patton Museum seemed destined to follow. Gen. Patton was in the right place at the right time in history, doing what he had trained for all his adult life. This is the best article on Patton Ive ever read. These had, however, been rejected, and when references had been made to the Geneva Convention, the officer had been told: What do you mean Geneva Convention? Jeter Downs needs to play to develop. Dead and buried in Europe, few will look back at what went on in 1944, which is when the war could have ended had they of listened to him. When Patton received a message instructing him to bypass the city because it would take four divisions to capture it, Patton replied, Have taken Trier with two divisions. Under a large tent to keep the rain away, the pall bearers placed Pattons casket over a grave dug by German prisoners of war. For the years that are left to me I am determined to be free to live as I want and say what I want. This inevitably worried Gay, who surmised, almost certainly correctly, that Patton planned to speak out against Eisenhowers handling of the campaign in Europe and against other senior officers, like Bedell Smith, Hodges, and even Bradley. When Patterson told him that he did not understand the big picture, but asked Patton what he would do about the Russians, he allegedly replied that he would keep the U.S. Army in Europe intact, delineate the border with the Soviets, and if they did not withdraw behind it, push them back across it. He went on: We did not come over here to acquire jurisdiction over either the people or their countries. MY THEORY WOULD BE THAT THE GENERAL WAS NOT OF SOUND MIND AND HIS DEATH COULD BE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE FOR MANY POLITICIANS AND LEADERS. Extremely captivating story and well written with plenty of facts to back up the story. George Patton, in full George Smith Patton, Jr., (born November 11, 1885, San Gabriel, California, U.S.died December 21, 1945, Heidelberg, Germany), U.S. Army officer who was an outstanding practitioner of mobile tank warfare in the European and Mediterranean theatres during World War II. Even though you dont know me, it is a privilege for me to write to you! America could use a great leader like him today! It is hell to be old and pass and know it., In his despondency, Patton reverted to the things he liked and did bestoverseeing the training and discipline of his Army, riding, hunting, and readingand for exercise he added a squash court to his residence. Mr. Hymel has also worked as the director of research for WWII Historyand WWII Quarterlymagazines, as well as the associate editor of ARMY magazine. Patton had taken so little interest in the new administration that he did not even recall meeting its Minister President, a Dr. Fritz Schaeffer. Its not known what else was said between the two women, but a few days later, on Jan. 8, 1946, Gordon was found dead in the New York City apartment of a friend. In 1968/69 while a young USARMY engineer LT stationed in Kontum Province in the VN Central Highlands, I recall meeting a young armor LT named George Patton. Best personal history of Patton. The fake news that haunted George Washington. The room was empty except for a hospital bed and a few other pieces of standard furniture of that long-ago era. Wonderfully done! The more I see of people, the more I regret I survived the war. He even accused the U.S. Treasury Secretary of Semitic revenge against Germany., On July 16, the Potsdam Conference convened, and Patton, resplendent with 20 stars and ivory-handled pistols, was in Berlin to see Truman preside over the raising of the American flag in the U.S. sector of the divided former German capital. Hordes of well-wishers tore up the cemetery grounds making the trek to his grave in the back corner. Camp 24 at Auerbach, 100 miles northeast of Munich, held former members of the 1st Leibstandarte and 12th Hitlerjugend SS Panzer Divisions, and there had already been complaints by the senior German officer of unbearable treatment of seriously disabled comrades.. If I can parse the weird grammar on the Wikipedia page correctly, she wasn't actually related to Patton. . Who knows? On his return to Bavaria, Patton, as military governor as well as Third Army commander, moved into his new headquarters, a former Waffen SS officers training school at Bad Tlz, 30 miles south of Munich. . Been reading a book about Patton and ran across this. A comment now that time has given historians a bit more perspective. Patton enjoyed military history in particular, especially books about the American Civil War, a conflict in which his grandfather and great-uncle had been killed while fighting for the Confederacy. Thanks for posting the article-overall, good information. This article is part of a series commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II made possible by the Department of Defense. If I get a really good job I will stay, otherwise I will retire. The plan was to fly to London and then sail from Southampton aboard the cruiser USS Augusta. His tragic death was the end of a great man to which the world owes a debt of gratitude beyond comprehension. George Smith Patton IV (December 24, 1923 - June 27, 2004) was a major general in the United States Army and the son of World War II General George S. Patton Jr. From now on we will get . Fortunately, the official aim of Pattons month-long leave was achievedhis enthusiastic oratory helped to sell millions of war bonds and he received a letter of thanks from Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau. He was at his best when commanding his men and was extremely instrumental in the victory of the allies over the Germans. On the 22nd, the day Stars and Stripes carried the headline PATTON DIES, she drove to Bad Nauheim to oversee her husbands effects being prepared for shipment back to their home in Massachusetts. Pattons opening words were, Well, you know damn well I didnt ask for this job, dont you?, The headquarters was in an old hotel in Bad Nauheim, and Pattons arrival in the mess for lunch was greeted by some 100 officers standing to attention. She wanted the body returned to the United States and buried near their Massachusetts home. Also Known As: George Smith Patton Jr. Died At Age: 60 Family: Spouse/Ex-: Beatrice Banning Ayer (m. 1910-1945) father: George S. Patton mother: Ruth Wilson children: Beatrice Smith, George Patton IV, Ruth Ellen Born Country: United States Military Leaders American Men Height: 6'2" (188 cm ), 6'2" Males Died on: December 21, 1945 May God bless you and your family the way HE has blesses your Grandpa! I guess, he made me love the American Military so much that I decided to become American, get a high school degree, college, and enlisted myself into the military as Satellite and Wideband Communications until I retired from the Air National Guard. Of German origin, he was determined to rid Germany of all vestiges of Nazism. He wrote in his diary, It gave me a very warm feeling in my heart to be back among soldiers. Even so, Patton was pessimistic about the future of Europe, reluctant to get involved in the complexities of military government, and, perhaps more importantly, reluctant to purge the Nazis. This is the only language they understand and respect. The cemetery belongs to and is gifted to USA by Luxembourg and hence he is buried on American soil. They had a daughter, Maria de Jesus (called Sue) and a son John, before she . Helen, In August of this year, I was at the American cemetery in Luxembourg where General George Payton is buried. On September 30,1953 at Hamilton, Massachusetts, while horse riding she suffered a ruptured aortic aneurysm which took her life instantly causing her to fall from the animal. His wife, Beatrice, a novelist, and their three children suffered greatly, according to the author, as Georgie went through periodic drinking bouts and began an affair with his wife's. He entered the Virginia Military Institute in 1903 but transferred to theU.S. Military Academy at West Point after just one year. During the early part of that month he decided to visit some of the prison camps in his area holding hardened Nazis and former members of the Waffen SS. General Patton saved Bradleys ass at the battle of the bulge. Patton opened a drawer, pulled out a pistol, slammed it down on his desk, and raged, Goddamnit! His wife preferred to have him buried along with his men who died in Battle of Bulge. Youre all hoping I will! His daughter, who worked in the amputee ward as an occupational therapist, recalled later that when her father saw the soldiers there he burst into tears and exclaimed, Goddammit, if I had been a better general, most of you would not be here. The men, who were not looking for sympathy, cheered him as he left. Early life Jean Gordon's father died at an early age and her invalid mother was the half sister of Patton's wife. 3. Patton and Gay left Bad Nauheim at about 0900 hours on December 9 in Pattons 1939 Model 75 Cadillac driven by Pfc. She was the bridesmaid for both the Patton girls. One of Pattons last acts before handing over command was to award a Silver Star to his driver of more than four years, Master Sergeant John Mims. His swift conquest of Sicily, his race across France, his relief of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and his drive into Germany destroyed German armies, saved American lives, and captured the collective imagination of the American public. His beloved dog, Willie, was to follow later. His bitterness is very evident: General Clay [Ikes deputy] and General McNarney have never commanded anything, including their own self-respect. george patton was the living, walking, talking definition of antifa & he had no use or patience for cowards like captain bone spurs. His wife came but he wa sunable to speak to her. After the tragic death of her husband in 1945, Mrs. Patton became a forceful and persuasive speaker advocating universal military training. We came to give them back the right to govern themselves. December is the anniversary of the death of General Patton. A number of books and films have advanced conspiracy theories suggesting that the outspoken Patton was actually assassinated on orders from either Washington or Moscow. Eisenhower and the allies handed over Eastern Europe to the Russians. And so it went on throughout his leaveadulation from family, friends, and the vast majority of the public. When it became clear to Eisenhower that the press reports were basically accurate, he was aghast and ordered Patton to report to him in Frankfurt.
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