On This Day

Friday 21st December 1945

74 years ago

Legendary war general George Patton was involved in a car accident on December 9, 1945, while riding as a passenger in a car near Speyer, Germany. His car was cut off by a truck that hit Patton's side of the vehicle, resulting in a broken neck and cervical spinal cord injury that rendered him paralyzed from the neck down. He underwent procedures, but eventually died in the hospital on this day in 1945 from congestive heart failure at 60 years old. Patton commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of World War II, but is best known for his leadership of the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Patton's colorful image, hard-driving personality and success as a commander were at times overshadowed by his controversial public statements. His philosophy of leading from the front and his ability to inspire troops with vulgarity-ridden speeches, such as a famous address to the Third Army, attracted favorable attention. His strong emphasis on rapid and aggressive offensive action proved effective. While Allied leaders held sharply differing opinions on Patton, he was regarded highly by his opponents in the German High Command. A popular, award-winning biographical film released in 1970 helped transform Patton into an American folk hero.