Description:

GEORGE PATTON BATTLE OF THE BULGE PRAYER CARD
Printed card, 3.75 x 2.25 in., printed with a Christmas greeting to his troops and signed with a facsimile signature by Gen. George S. Patton on one side, the verso bearing a prayer for improved weather in which to conduct battle. A few trivial stains, else very good. During the holiday season of 1944, Patton was bogged down as he was trying to relieve Bastogne, an impossible task without sufficient air cover. Patton had Chaplain Fr. James O'Neill compose a prayer which he then distributed to each one of the 250,000 troops under his command in the Third Army: 'Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.' On the reverse side, Patton wrote, 'To each officer and soldier in the Third United States Army, I wish a Merry Christmas. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We march in our might to complete victory. May God's blessings rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day. – G.S. Patton, Jr., Lt. Gen. Commanding, Third United States Army'

And it worked. The next day, the weather cleared, Patton's Third Army made its way into Bastogne to relieve the 101st Airborne, stymie the Nazis.

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January 25, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$100 $499 $20
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$5,000 $9,999 $500
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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
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$2,000,000 + $100,000