Significant ALS signed “Ike,” two pages, 8 x 10.5, December 14, [1943]. Letter to his wife Mamie, in part: "Yesterday I got back from a 6-day trip. In the past 4 weeks my travel schedule has been something like this. (1) Malta & back here. 4 days. (2) Oran & back here. 2 days. (3) Tunis & back here. 3 days. (4) Cairo & [back here]. 7 days. (5) Tunis, Malta, Sicily & back here. 5 days. (6) Again Tunis & back here. 2 days. My stops, in between times, at my own Hq have been exceedingly brief…Now & then I've had a chance to dash you off a note—the latest one was a pencilled scrawl that I have to Hap Arnold. But today I sent you a teletype…because I've had no letter in over 3 weeks. 'Fan mail' is no substitute for a letter from you—besides, a secretary answers most of that. One of my hardest chores—but one which I attend to personally—is the attempt to give a word of encouragement to those that write to me about a son or relative lost in battle. I feel very deeply for them. I always realize—with a fearful shock—how I'd feel if John were lost in the war. In fact, after 23 years, I still feel the tragedy of Ikky's loss—One must not think of such things. The 'Patton' incident has apparently caused a furor—and has gradually died out in public interest. I hope I never hear of it again. What trouble can be caused by such crazy acts as his—troubles that were entirely unnecessary—Oh hum! Well, darling—I'm on my way—I love you heaps—but if you don't write I'm going to send you a letter that will sear the paper!!!" In fine condition.
In late November 1943, homefront headlines were dominated by news that General George S. Patton had slapped two hospitalized soldiers for their ‘cowardice.’ His actions resulted in widespread controversy throughout the United States, rapidly spreading throughout the media as a front-page story. In view of the public outcry, Patton was ordered by Eisenhower to apologize to the men and was then removed from battlefield command for nearly a year. Eisenhower and George Marshall refused to fire Patton on the grounds of “such crazy acts,” but when Patton returned to combat command in mid-1944, his behavior was now viewed as too compulsive to lead in the vital Operation Overlord invasion. Patton’s former subordinate, Omar Bradley, was chosen in his stead.
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