beatrice banning ayer

He refused to have Jewish chaplains at his headquarters. During this time he developed a belief that tanks should be used not as infantry support, but rather as an independent fighting force. After a brief Episcopal service, she was cremated. [168] Patton believed his forces were close enough to the Siegfried Line that he remarked to Bradley that with 400,000gallons of gasoline he could be in Germany within two days. [30][31], Patton's first posting was with the 15th Cavalry at Fort Sheridan, Illinois,[32] where he established himself as a hard-driving leader who impressed superiors with his dedication. [156], Sailing to Normandy throughout July, Patton's Third Army formed on the extreme right (west) of the Allied land forces,[156][b] and became operational at noon on August 1, 1944, under Bradley's Twelfth United States Army Group. [52][222] He was usually seen wearing a highly polished helmet, riding pants, and high cavalry boots. She was born Beatrice Banning Ayer in Haverhill, Massachusetts the daughter of Frederick Ayer an industrialist who owned a woolen mill. Around 09:00, Patton was wounded while leading six men and a tank in an attack on German machine guns near the town of Cheppy. [93] In August 1923, Patton saved several children from drowning when they fell off a yacht during a boating trip off Salem, Massachusetts. [210], Patton's final assignment was to command the U.S. 15th Army, based in Bad Nauheim. [153] As a result of Operation Fortitude, the German 15th Army remained at the Pas de Calais to defend against Patton's supposed attack. "[123], Patton's training was effective, and on March 17, the U.S. 1st Infantry Division took Gafsa, winning the Battle of El Guettar, and pushing a German and Italian armored force back twice. Befriending Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, Patton served as his aide at social functions on top of his regular duties as quartermaster for his troop. 1910 May 26 Patton and Beatrice Banning Ayer were married; they would later have three children. When Major General George Smith Patton IV was born on 24 December 1923, in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States, his father, Gen. George Smith Patton Jr., was 38 and his mother, Beatrice Banning Ayer, was 37. During and following Patton's assignment in Hawaii, he and Eisenhower corresponded frequently. He pushed them hard, and sought to reward them well for their accomplishments. "[243] Eisenhower believed that other generals such as Bradley should be given the credit for planning the successful Allied campaigns across Europe in which Patton was merely "a brilliant executor".[243]. Their son, George S. Patton III continued the West Point tradition and became a general. [231], On a visit home after the war he again made headlines when he attempted to honor several wounded veterans in a speech by calling them "the real heroes" of the war, unintentionally offending the families of soldiers who had been killed in action. At age 24, Patton married Beatrice Banning Ayer, the daughter of Boston industrialist Frederick Ayer, on May 26, 1910, in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts. Taken to a hospital in Heidelberg, Patton was discovered to have a compression fracture and dislocation of the cervical third and fourth vertebrae, resulting in a broken neck and cervical spinal cord injury that rendered him paralyzed from the neck down. [10], In his plebe (first) year at West Point, Patton adjusted easily to the routine. [88] Loathing duty as a peacetime staff officer, he spent much time writing technical papers and giving speeches on his combat experiences at the General Staff College. [120], On March 6, 1943, following the defeat of the U.S. II Corps by the German Afrika Korps, commanded by Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel, at the Battle of Kasserine Pass, Patton replaced Major General Lloyd Fredendall as Commanding General of the II Corps and was promoted to lieutenant general. Patton then drove to Hatch Memorial Shell and spoke to some 20,000, including a crowd of 400 wounded Third Army veterans. [106] His exploits earned him a spot on the cover of Life magazine. In December 1940, he staged a high-profile mass exercise in which 1,000 tanks and vehicles were driven from Columbus, Georgia, to Panama City, Florida, and back. 1912 June 14 Patton sailed for Europe to participate in the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden. [180] Within a few days, more than 133,000 Third Army vehicles were rerouted into an offensive that covered an average distance of over 11 miles (18km) per vehicle, followed by support echelons carrying 62,000 tonnes (61,000 long tons; 68,000 short tons) of supplies.[181]. As part of a provisional corps under Major General Geoffrey Keyes, the 3rd Infantry Division under Major General Lucian Truscott covered 100 miles (160km) in 72 hours, arriving at Palermo on July 21. When Patton married Beatrice Banning Ayer in 1910, his considerably wealthier father-in-law put him on the family payroll and subsidized a coddled military career, complete with traveling. Bio by John R. Bacak. He was also frequently in disagreement with Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr. and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. though often then conceding, to their relief, in line with Bradley's view.[132]. [48] In the meantime, Patton was selected to participate in the 1916 Summer Olympics, but that Olympiad was cancelled due to World War I. [53][54] Patton modeled much of his leadership style after Pershing, who favored strong, decisive actions and commanding from the front. [54] He left Paris and reported to the French Army's tank training school at Champlieu near Orrouy, where he drove a Renault FT light tank. Edit your search or learn more Public Member Photos & Scanned Documents Pictures "[200] Whether or not Gordon was sexually involved with Patton, she also loved a young married captain, who returned to his wife in September 1945, leaving Gordon despondent. Colonel Patton displayed conspicuous courage, coolness, energy, and intelligence in directing the advance of his brigade down the valley of the Aire. Among the opinions of Patton's abilities. His grandmother Beatrice Banning Ayer and Patton were married in 1910. [65] Taken as Pershing's personal aide, Patton oversaw the training of American troops in Paris until September, then moved to Chaumont and was assigned as a post adjutant, commanding the headquarters company overseeing the base. [146] In September, Bradley, who was Patton's junior in both rank and experience, was selected to command the First United States Army forming in England to prepare for Operation Overlord. At the banquet, President de Gaulle gave a speech placing Patton's achievements alongside those of Napoleon. Patton also descended from Hugh Mercer, who had been killed in the Battle of Princeton during the American Revolution. It is no exaggeration to say that Patton's name struck terror at the hearts of the enemy. She was born Beatrice Banning Ayer in Haverhill, Massachusetts the daughter of Frederick Ayer an industrialist who owned a woolen mill. [128] He sought an amphibious assault, but it was delayed by lack of landing craft, and his troops did not land at Santo Stefano until August 8, by which time the Germans and Italians had already evacuated the bulk of their troops to mainland Italy. Royalty-free Creative Video Editorial Archive Custom Content Creative Collections Contributor support. Daughter of Frederick Fanning Ayer and Ellen Barrows Ayer "[207], When he faced questions from the press about his reluctance to denazify post-war Germany, Patton noted that most of the people with experience in infrastructure management had been compelled to join the party in the war. [76], Patton's brigade was then moved to support U.S. [209], On September 28, 1945, after a heated exchange with Eisenhower over the denazification controversy, Patton was relieved of his military governorship. [230] Another controversy occurred prior to Operation Overlord when Patton spoke at a British welcoming club at Knutsford in England, and said, in part, "since it is the evident destiny of the British and Americans, and of course, the Russians, to rule the world, the better we know each other, the better job we will do." [234] Many of his directives showed special trouble to care for the enlisted men under his command, and he was well known for arranging extra supplies for battlefield soldiers, including blankets and extra socks, galoshes, and other items normally in short supply at the front.[235]. His instinctive preference for offensive movement was typified by an answer Patton gave to war correspondents in a 1944 press conference. [214] The 1986 film The Last Days of Patton tells the story of his last few months. The Third Army claimed to have killed, wounded, or captured 1,811,388 German soldiers, six times its strength in personnel. She unsheathed one of the swords and chased "Saber George" around the room, cursing with expletives that should have made her warrior husband proud. [197], Patton was appointed as military governor of Bavaria, where he led the Third Army in denazification efforts. He served in the position until relieved by General Joseph T. McNarney on November 26th. Patton's father, who graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), became a lawyer and later the district attorney of Los Angeles County. During the Allied occupation of Germany, Patton was named military governor of Bavaria, but was relieved for making aggressive statements towards the Soviet Union and trivializing denazification. 319 During the September Louisiana Maneuvers, his division was part of the losing Red Army in Phase I, but in Phase II was assigned to the Blue Army. [89], On September 30, 1920, then-Major Patton relinquished command of the 304th Tank Brigade and was reassigned to Fort Myer as commander of 3rd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry. The first American tank designed after the war became the M46 Patton.[220]. [54][60] It was not clear if Patton personally killed any of the men, but he was known to have wounded all three. Patton made a final stop in Washington, D.C. before returning to Europe in July to serve in the occupation forces. [61] The incident garnered Patton both Pershing's good favor and widespread media attention as a "bandit killer". Patton had a younger sister, Anne, nicknamed "Nita. [109] Patton had a preoccupation with bravery,[8] wearing his rank insignia conspicuously in combat, and at one point during World War II, he rode atop a tank into a German-controlled village seeking to inspire courage in his men. Patton rather caustically replied: "Have taken Trier with two divisions. It was fired at about 50m[160ft] so made a hole about the size of a [silver] dollar where it came out."[82]. The name index for death . "[196] Unhappy with his position and depressed by his belief that he would never fight in another war, Patton's behavior and statements became increasingly erratic. [256] Generaloberst Alfred Jodl, chief of staff of the German Army, stated that Patton "was the American Guderian. Beatrice Banning Ayer was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, the daughter of Frederick Ayer, an industrialist who owned a woolen mill. After sailing back to Los Angeles for extended leave in 1937, he was kicked by a horse and fractured his leg. Nonetheless, he was known to be admired widely by the men under his charge. In that time, it crossed 24 major rivers and captured 81,500 square miles (211,000km2) of territory, including more than 12,000 cities and towns. There he was embroiled in controversy after he slapped two shell-shocked soldiers, and was temporarily removed from battlefield command. [55][56] As an aide, Patton oversaw the logistics of Pershing's transportation and acted as his personal courier. Chagrined to discover that his unit would not participate, Patton appealed to expedition commander John J. Pershing, and was named his personal aide for the expedition. While he was initially buried in the middle of a plot like every other service member, the large number of visitors to his grave damaged the cemetery grounds, and his remains were moved to their current location at the front of the grave plots. The schooner was designed by famous naval architect John G. Alden and built in 1939. Patton's maternal grandfather was Benjamin Davis Wilson, a merchant who had been the second Mayor of Los Angeles. [96][97] Patton also encountered his former orderly, Joe Angelo, as one of the marchers and forcibly ordered him away, fearing such a meeting might make the headlines. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. This collection contains some delayed birth records, as well. [122] During this time, he reported to British General Sir Harold Alexander, commander of the 18th Army Group, and came into conflict with Air Vice Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham about the lack of close air support being provided for his troops. [54][62] Shortly after, he was promoted to first lieutenant while a part of the 10th Cavalry on May 23, 1916. [46], Patton graduated from this school in June 1915. [149] On January 26, 1944, Patton was formally given command of the U.S. Third Army in England, a newly formed field Army, and he was assigned to prepare its inexperienced soldiers for combat in Europe. She was born Beatrice Banning Ayer in Haverhill, Massachusetts the daughter of Frederick Ayer an industrialist who owned a woolen mill. [86], In July 1921 Patton became a member of the American Legion Tank Corps Post No. 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. Biographer Martin Blumenson, who was Third Army Historian and also edited Patton's papers, sums up this period tersely: "Clearly, he had become delusional. [64], After the Villa Expedition, Patton was detailed to Front Royal, Virginia, to oversee horse procurement for the army, but Pershing intervened on his behalf. She enjoyed the life of privilege & attended prestigious finishing schools. In this speech he aroused some controversy among the Gold Star Mothers when he stated that a man who dies in battle is "frequently a fool",[195] adding that the wounded are heroes. In peacetime, though, he would remain a colonel to remain eligible to command a regiment. [71] He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on April 3, 1918, and attended the Command and General Staff College in Langres. President Woodrow Wilson forbade the expedition from conducting aggressive patrols deeper into Mexico, so it remained encamped in the Mexican border states for much of that time. Beatrice Banning Ayer (left) was born in one of the upstairs bedrooms at the Ayer Mansion in Lowell on January 12, 1886. He ordered Jews to share living quarters with former Nazis. A native of Fort Sheridan, Ill., Mrs. [81], Patton stopped at a rear command post to submit his report before heading to a hospital. He was temporarily assigned to the Office of the Army Chief of Staff, and in 1913, the first 20,000 of the Model 1913 Cavalry Saberpopularly known as the "Patton saber"were ordered. We can no more understand a Russian than a Chinaman or a Japanese, and from what I have seen of them, I have no particular desire to understand them, except to ascertain how much lead or iron it takes to kill them. [153] Adolf Hitler reportedly called him "that crazy cowboy general". [104] As Chaffee stepped down from command of the I Armored Corps, Patton became the most prominent figure in U.S. armor doctrine. [221] Other actors who have portrayed Patton include Stephen McNally in the 1957 episode "The Patton Prayer" of the ABC religion anthology series, Crossroads, John Larch in the 1963 film Miracle of the White Stallions, Kirk Douglas in the 1966 film Is Paris Burning?, George Kennedy in the 1978 film Brass Target, Darren McGavin in the 1979 miniseries Ike, Robert Prentiss in the 1988 film Pancho Barnes, Mitchell Ryan in the 1989 film Double Exposure: The Story of Margaret Bourke-White, Lawrence Dobkin in a 1989 episode of the miniseries War and Remembrance, Edward Asner in the 1997 film The Long Way Home, Gerald McRaney in the 2004 miniseries Ike: Countdown to D-Day, Dan Higgins in a 2006 episode of the miniseries Man, Moment, Machine, Kelsey Grammer in the 2008 film An American Carol,[221] and Ed Harris in Resistance (2020). American recruits and draftees being issued uniforms in World War 2. After she had "treed" him on top of the crates, stabbing at his legs, and making him dance quite a jig, he pleaded, "G-- D--- it, Bea, I'm sorry! When their Sicilian owner protested, Patton attacked him with a walking stick and had his troops push the two mule carcasses off the bridge. She was born Beatrice Banning Ayer in Haverhill, Massachusetts the daughter of Frederick Ayer an industrialist who owned a woolen mill. July 7 Patton participated in Modern Pentathlon, Olympic Games. He named Patton commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade, part of the 2nd Armored Division. She married Major General James Willoughby Totten on 6 July 1940, in Hamilton, Essex, Massachusetts, United States. [113] Soldiers under his command were known at times to have quipped, "our blood, his guts". His division executed a 400-mile (640km) end run around the Red Army and "captured" Shreveport, Louisiana. [229] His public image was more seriously damaged after word of the slapping incidents broke. [68] At the conclusion of his tour on December 1, Patton went to Albert, 30 miles (48km) from Cambrai, to be briefed on the results of this attack by the chief of staff of the British Tank Corps, Colonel J. F. C. [211][212][213], Gay and others were only slightly injured, but Patton hit his head on the glass partition that separated the front and back seat. [136], Word of the incident reached Eisenhower, who privately reprimanded Patton and insisted he apologize. [17] Patton's wife Beatrice died on September 30, 1953, from a ruptured aneurysm[18] after falling while riding her horse in a hunt with her brother and others at the Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. [158][159], Patton's strategy with his army favored speed and aggressive offensive action, though his forces saw less opposition than did the other three Allied field armies in the initial weeks of its advance.

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