Distinguished glossy 8 x 10 full-length photo of Patton, as a three-star general, standing at attention and saluting, signed in fountain pen, “G. S. Patton, Jr.” Reverse of photo bears a typed notation, “Confidential, until reclassified by Censor,” as well as a second stamp, “Passed for Personal Use only,” and dated May 27, 1945. In very good condition, with scattered creases to image and borders, surface loss to one corner, and tape remnants to other three corner tips. Patton was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General on March 6, 1943, replacing Major General Lloyd Fredendall as commander of the II Corps, after the US defeat at the Battle of the Kasserine Pass. Less than a month before the censors released this portrait, the Allies defeated the Germans, forcing their surrender on May 8, with Patton’s Third Army largely responsible for the fall of the Nazis, capturing over 80,000 square miles of territory since the D-Day invasion. A magnificent photo which captures the formality and intense determination of the legendary military leader. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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