War-dated TLS signed “G. S. Patton, Jr.,” one page, 8 x 10, Headquarters, Third United States Army letterhead, April 19, 1945. Letter to a wounded veteran. In full, “Your letter of March 27 just reached me. I remember you very well, and I am delighted to hear that you are still alive, as I had been under the impression for a number of years that you had succumbed to your wounds. It looks now as if we are approaching another 11th of November, but it will not be in that particular month, although just when it will be, I am unable to say.” In very good condition, with a repair to partial separations along one horizontal mailing fold, adhesive remnants along top edge, and scattered foxing.
With the war coming to a close and resistance against his Third Army diminishing, Patton was promoted to the permanent rank of general on April 14, 1945—just five days before signing this letter—in recognition of his major battle accomplishments during World War II. Ordered toward Czechoslovakia in anticipation of a last stand by Nazi German forces there, Patton was on the march when Germany finally offered its unconditional surrender, marking the end of the war in Europe. In this remarkable letter to a wounded vet, the general marks the approach of “another 11th of November,” confirming that just as the Germans accepted defeat in World War I with the November 11, 1918 armistice, they too would soon give up their fight in the Second World War. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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