George S. Patton (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was a general who commanded the U.S. Seventh and Third armies during World War II. He had been wounded during World War I leading the newly formed Tank Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces into combat. In 1942 he led U.S. troops in the invasion of Casablanca, and later commanded the Seventh Army during the Allied invasion of Sicily. After slapping two soldiers, he was removed from battlefield command, but returned to lead the Third Army following the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. After a successful armored drive across France, his army helped rescue beleaguered American troops during the Battle of the Bulge. He died from an automobile accident in Germany. While Allied leaders held sharply differing opinions on Patton, he was regarded highly by his opponents in the German High Command. His emphasis on aggressive offensive action proved effective, but his hard-driving personality and success as a commander were at times overshadowed by controversial public statements. He joined his troops on the front lines and inspired them with vulgarity-ridden speeches, as recounted in a 1970 award-winning biographical film.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1778:
American Revolutionary War: British forces and their Seneca allies attacked a fort and the village of Cherry Valley, New York, killing 14 soldiers and 30 civilians. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Valley_massacre
1805:
War of the Third Coalition: French, Austrian and Russian units all suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Dürenstein. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_D%C3%BCrenstein
1918:
The armistice treaty between the German Empire and the Allies was signed in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiègne of France. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_of_11_November_1918
1926:
The plan for the United States Numbered Highway System was approved by the American Association of State Highway Officials. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Numbered_Highway_System
1975:
During a constitutional crisis in Australia, Governor-General John Kerr dismissed the government of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and dissolved Parliament for a double dissolution election. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_Australian_constitutional_crisis
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
saddle shoe: A shoe, resembling an oxford, which has a saddle of a leather or color different from the rest of the shoe. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/saddle_shoe
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
Tiger got to hunt, Bird got to fly; Man got to sit and wonder, "Why, why, why?" Tiger got to sleep, Bird got to land; Man got to tell himself he understand. --Cat's Cradle https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Cat%27s_Cradle