Description:

GEORGE S. PATTON'S "TOE TAG" - EMERGENCY MILITARY MEDICAL ASSESSMENT
(1885 - 1945) "Old Blood and Guts" was one of the finest tank commanders in history, rolling his forces through Tunisia, Sicily, France and Germany until halted at the Rhine. Historically important D.S., 2pp. 3 3/4" x 6", Dec. 21-26, 1945, Patton's Army "Form 52b", an "emergency medical tag" commonly refered to as a "toe tag" attached to the general's body at the time of his demise. The tag was issued at 1755 hours at "130 Station Hospital, Heidelberg" and sets forth Patton's rank age, race, etc. as well as the original diagnosis of broken neck vertebrae. It is signed by a "Col. Ball" on the front. The reverse bears a "Supplemental Record" which sets forth Patton's condition chronologically from the date of his car accident on Dec. 9 until his last moments. Notes for his last five days, including his burial in Luxembourg, are written and signed by Cap. GERALD KENT (1914-1988), a doctor who attended Patton. He notes: "Dec. 19 - Death ra[tt]les - Given atrophine & oxygen. [Dec.] 21 - [Death rattles] - Resting quietly but told nurse that he was going to die. Died 1755 with sudden stop of heart. Mycardial failure - spinal cord damaged - 3rd cervical vertebrae - No autopsy - Permission refused by Mrs. Patton on death certificate...". The tag has been torn into four pieces and repaired with tape at the time. This original was recovered from the trash when a "cleaner" copy was made for the records.

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February 10, 2015 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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