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Sandy Patch: A Biography of Lt. Gen. Alexander M. Patch
This is the first biography of one of the most important yet least well-known American military leaders of World War II. Written by a veteran journalist and former staff officer who served under General Patch in the Pacific and Europe, it offers a firsthand account of the general's life, personality, and style of command as well as detailed histories of the military campaigns on which his reputation rests.
As commander of the U.S. Seventh Army, General Patch came to prominence in the Pacific, where he led army and marine troops to victory over the Japanese at Guadalcanal. This achievement earned Patch the coveted assignment of leading the assault on the beaches of southern France in 1944, which was to prepare the way for D-Day and the landing at Normandy. The most important battles of his career, however, came in the winter of 1944-1945, when Patch's Seventh Army was able to foresee and crush the last desperate German counterattack mounted in France and join Patton's troops in the closing months of the war. Patch, who was often overshadowed by Patton's colorful and very public persona, deliberately maintained a low profile throughout the war, earning respect through his decisiveness, acute strategic judgment, and deep concern for the safety of his men. World War II military leadership is an area of growing interest to military historians, biographers, and World War II specialists, and this groundbreaking study provides a comprehensive profile of a relatively unknown but much-revered Army officer.
As commander of the U.S. Seventh Army, General Patch came to prominence in the Pacific, where he led army and marine troops to victory over the Japanese at Guadalcanal. This achievement earned Patch the coveted assignment of leading the assault on the beaches of southern France in 1944, which was to prepare the way for D-Day and the landing at Normandy. The most important battles of his career, however, came in the winter of 1944-1945, when Patch's Seventh Army was able to foresee and crush the last desperate German counterattack mounted in France and join Patton's troops in the closing months of the war. Patch, who was often overshadowed by Patton's colorful and very public persona, deliberately maintained a low profile throughout the war, earning respect through his decisiveness, acute strategic judgment, and deep concern for the safety of his men. World War II military leadership is an area of growing interest to military historians, biographers, and World War II specialists, and this groundbreaking study provides a comprehensive profile of a relatively unknown but much-revered Army officer.
Hardcover
First published August 30, 1991
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April 24, 2019
One of our lesser known World War II commanders Alexander M. Patch, known to peers as Sandy was
born an army brat in Fort Huachuca, Arizona where his dad was stationed. Patch kept the army
tradition up by going to West Point graduating in the class of 1913. He commanded a machine gun
troop and was decorated for bravery. Patch also came to the attention of one George Catlett Marshall
who marked him as one to advance. As Marshall was a person of destiny himself that was the best
kind of rabbi to have.
After some occupation duty in Europe, Patch settled down to a lot of desultory peace time assignments
the most interesting of which was a stint at Staunton Military Academy where he was a professor of
military science. One of the cadets he taught there was one Barry Goldwater as a teen and Goldwater
remembered Patch as being stern, but kindly. That by the way could have described one George
Catlett Marshall.
And when Marshall became Chief of Staff in 1939 Patch's along with any number of other officers
including a guy named Eisenhower got advanced as Marshall put together a team of commanders
that would win the war. After Pearl Harbor Patch got his first combat command in the Pacific
Theater at a place called Guadalcanal.
The marines were the first to land and secure a tenuous hold on the place. But the Japanese were
by no means a beaten foe. Patch was there in 1942-43 when the last Japanese troops finally gave
up. He also compromised his health coming down with some nasty malaria which compromised
his health. Marshall furloughed for some relief and recovery to the states.
But after the D-Day invasion and as the Italian campaign made it's slow trek up the Italian peninsula, Marshall gave Patch command of the US Seventh Army which was to land on the French
Riviera. There was an understandable fear that this might become another Anzio, but Patch with
both American and Free French troops from both Italy and Corsica caught the Nazis napping. His
beach front ran the length of the French province of Provence. He also was in charge of liberating
the Port of Marseilles with its facilities available for supply and transport.
While the troops that landed in Normandy spread across northern France, Patch and his command
used the Rhone River valley as their route north. Eventually his troops came under the charge of
the Army Group commanded by George Patton and left the Mediterranean Theater command.
Patch was one of those guys who did his job quietly and efficiently and just about everybody liked
him. It wasn't just George Marshall's patronage that kept him in those jobs. He suffered an
incredible tragedy when his son was killed in France.
That together with his own health declining with malaria and pneumonia Patch died in Fort Sam
Houston army hospital in November of 1945. He's buried at the cemetery at West Point.
You World War II buffs will appreciate this book, a chance to learn about one of our more unsung
heroes of that conflict.
born an army brat in Fort Huachuca, Arizona where his dad was stationed. Patch kept the army
tradition up by going to West Point graduating in the class of 1913. He commanded a machine gun
troop and was decorated for bravery. Patch also came to the attention of one George Catlett Marshall
who marked him as one to advance. As Marshall was a person of destiny himself that was the best
kind of rabbi to have.
After some occupation duty in Europe, Patch settled down to a lot of desultory peace time assignments
the most interesting of which was a stint at Staunton Military Academy where he was a professor of
military science. One of the cadets he taught there was one Barry Goldwater as a teen and Goldwater
remembered Patch as being stern, but kindly. That by the way could have described one George
Catlett Marshall.
And when Marshall became Chief of Staff in 1939 Patch's along with any number of other officers
including a guy named Eisenhower got advanced as Marshall put together a team of commanders
that would win the war. After Pearl Harbor Patch got his first combat command in the Pacific
Theater at a place called Guadalcanal.
The marines were the first to land and secure a tenuous hold on the place. But the Japanese were
by no means a beaten foe. Patch was there in 1942-43 when the last Japanese troops finally gave
up. He also compromised his health coming down with some nasty malaria which compromised
his health. Marshall furloughed for some relief and recovery to the states.
But after the D-Day invasion and as the Italian campaign made it's slow trek up the Italian peninsula, Marshall gave Patch command of the US Seventh Army which was to land on the French
Riviera. There was an understandable fear that this might become another Anzio, but Patch with
both American and Free French troops from both Italy and Corsica caught the Nazis napping. His
beach front ran the length of the French province of Provence. He also was in charge of liberating
the Port of Marseilles with its facilities available for supply and transport.
While the troops that landed in Normandy spread across northern France, Patch and his command
used the Rhone River valley as their route north. Eventually his troops came under the charge of
the Army Group commanded by George Patton and left the Mediterranean Theater command.
Patch was one of those guys who did his job quietly and efficiently and just about everybody liked
him. It wasn't just George Marshall's patronage that kept him in those jobs. He suffered an
incredible tragedy when his son was killed in France.
That together with his own health declining with malaria and pneumonia Patch died in Fort Sam
Houston army hospital in November of 1945. He's buried at the cemetery at West Point.
You World War II buffs will appreciate this book, a chance to learn about one of our more unsung
heroes of that conflict.
Displaying 1 of 1 review