Edwin D. Patrick

Major General Edwin Davies Patrick (January 11, 1894 – March 15, 1945) was an American general who was the commander of the 6th Infantry Division during World War II.

Edwin Davies Patrick
Edwin D. Patrick, pictured here in December 1918 as a captain.
Born(1894-01-11)January 11, 1894
Tell City, Indiana, United States
DiedMarch 15, 1945(1945-03-15) (aged 51)
near Montalban (now. Rodriguez), Rizal, Luzon Island, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Place of burial
Greenwood Cemetery, Tell City Indiana
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1915-1945
Rank Major General
Service number0-4903
Unit Infantry Branch
Commands held357th Infantry Regiment
6th Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Purple Heart

Biography

He was born January 11, 1894, in Tell City Perry County, Indiana, was the son of John Thomas Patrick and Anna Elnore Menninger, sister of Carl Frederick Menninger, founder of the Menninger Clinic. Patrick was raised in Tell City, Indiana, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Indiana National Guard in 1915, following his graduation from college versus being commissioned via the United States Military Academy.[1]

With the US intervention in World War I Patrick joined the 14th Machine Gun Battalion of the 5th Division and fought in France with the American Expeditionary Forces in the Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.[1]

World War II
Major General Edwin D. Patrick (center), Major General Oscar Griswold (left) and Major General Charles P. Hall (right, pointing) on March 13, 1945.

During World War II, Patrick served on the staff of Admiral William Halsey for a brief period and then became Chief of Staff of general Walter Krueger's 6th Army. He was the commander of the task forces in the battles of Wakde and Noemfoor. Afterwards, he was given command of the 6th Infantry Division.[2]

Funeral service for Major General Edwin D. Patrick.

During the Philippines campaign of 1944-45 Patrick inspected troops east of Manila on March 14. A Japanese soldier, who had remained in hiding behind the lines, opened fire from 75 yd (69 m) with a machine gun, mortally wounding Patrick,[3][4] who died the next day.[5]

Edwin Patrick was one of only three American division commanders to die in combat action in World War II. The other two were Maurice Rose and James Edward Wharton.[2] Patrick was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. A Navy transport ship, USNS General Edwin D. Patrick (T-AP-124), was named in his honor.

References
  1. Cornebise, Alfred Emile (2015). The United States Army in China, 1900–1938: A History of the 9th, 14th, 15thand 31st regiments in the East. NC: Mcfarland& Company Inc. p. 175. ISBN 9780786497706.
  2. Heefner, Wilson A. (1995). Twentieth Century Warrior: The Life and Service of Major General Edwin D. Patrick. Nebraska: Shippensburg. ISBN 0-942597-81-8.
  3. The Michigan Alumnus, Vol. LI, 7. October 1944 - September 22, 1945 , Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, page 359
  4. "Sixth Infantry Division in World War Ii, 1939-1945", 1983, Battery Press Inc, ISBN 0898390737, page 114
  5. Walter Krueger:"From Down Under To Nippon: The Story Of Sixth Army In World War II", 1989, Battery Press Inc, ISBN 978-0898391251, Chapter 30
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