Today in World War II History—October 22, 1939 & 1944

Lt. Gen. Alexander Patch, Jr., commander of the U.S. Seventh Army in southern France, and his son, Capt. Alexander “Mac” Patch III, shortly before the young officer’s death. (U.S. Military Academy)

75 Years Ago—Oct. 22, 1939: Soviets clamp down on occupied Poland, closing schools and churches, banning the Polish language and typewriters. Gallup poll: 95% of Americans want to stay out of the war, but 62% want to aid the Allies.

70 Years Ago—Oct. 22, 1944: First use of napalm in the Pacific Theater—US fighters drop napalm on oil storage tanks on Ceram Island. Capt. Alexander Patch III, son of the commanding general of the US Seventh Army, killed in action in France.