| Birth: | Nov. 11, 1885 | | Death: | Dec. 21, 1945 | 
United States World War II Army General. He was born at Lake Vineyard Ranch what is now San Marino, California. In 1904, he entered West Point following in the military fashion of the Patton family. After graduation, he was assigned to the Cavalry as an aid to "Black Jack Pershing", who at that time was persueing the Mexican bandit General Pancho Villa. June 17, 1918 saw him in France with an appointment to the Tank Corps. World War II brought an assignment to North Africa as head of the II Corp, where he received his third star from General Eisenhower. On to Sicily, the Seventh Army enjoyed an unopposed landing and Patton assumed command of this unit. In January 1944, he was summoned to London and given command of the US Third Army which was still being activated. In July 1944, George Patton arrived in France one month after the D-Day landing. His command still not fully activated, he was forced to wait to engage in combat for the arrival of the bulk of his troops. Once the 3rd Army was fully operational, its exploits throughout Europe became legendary. General Patton's journey into history began in Mannheim, Germany on December 9, 1945, when the sedan in which he was riding ran headlong into an army truck. He was taken to the army hospital outside of Heidelberg, where he died from his injuries on December 21. He lay in state at the Villa Reiner, one of the stately homes in Heidelberg. Funeral services were conducted at Christ Church, afterward his body was placed aboard a special funeral train for the trip to Luxembourg for burial at the Military Cemetery in nearby Hamm, where 3,000 American soldiers lie, many having served under General Patton in the 3rd Army. He was buried on December 24th following a funeral service at the Luxembourg Cathedral. In spite of the pouring rain, thousands lined the streets from the central railroad along the tracks to the cemetery. Representatives of nine countries and the highest ranking officers of the American troops stationed in Europe followed the coffin. Present were delegations from Luxembourg, France, Belgium, England, Italy, The Netherlands, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. France and Belgium provided the honor guard. While the gun carriage with the coffin was on its way from the railroad station to the cemetery, a French battery fired a seventeen-round volley of salute. After a brief religious service George Patton Jr. was lowered into the grave. (bio by: Paul S.)
Search Amazon for George Patton | | | Burial:
Luxembourg American (ABMC) Cemetery and Memorial
Hamm
Luxembourg, Luxembourg |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jan 01, 2001
Find A Grave Memorial# 1144 |
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I just wanted to wish you a happy thanks giving. And thank you for doing what is right, Im sorry you did not live long enough to enjoy a world in peace but i hope you have everlasting peace in heaven! Thank you for your service and rest in peace you earne...(Read more)
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Jonathan Albright
Added: Nov. 27, 2009 |
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reden2
Added: Nov. 24, 2009 |
Wishing you a Happy Heavenly Thanksgiving, dearest General Patton. With Deepest Respect...
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LaDene
Added: Nov. 24, 2009 |
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