Superb collection of World War II maps and ephemera from General George Patton’s Third Army campaigns in France, from the personal collection of the Third Army’s Headquarters Commandant, Colonel Rufus Bratton, who was awarded the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. Both citations with embossed official copies of his awards are included. Colonel Bratton was an Army infantry and intelligence officer whose work and actions during the Pearl Harbor attack were fictionalized in the movie Tora! Tora! Tora! In 1943, the Army transferred Bratton to the position of Headquarters Commandant for General Patton’s Third Army which kept him in close contact with Patton during the Third Army’s rapid advance through France to their post-war occupation of Germany. Bratton organized operations from the shores of France to Berlin, and was awarded a Bronze Star and a Legion of Merit for his meritorious service. The Bronze Star citation reads, in part, “For meritorious service… This officer, serving as Headquarters Commandant, Headquarters Third United States Army, had the difficult task of planning and executing the frequent movements of the Army Headquarters during its rapid progress across France… This outstanding performance of duty merits the highest praise.” The color photograph depicts Bratton and another officer in the Headquarters’ Tactical Operations Center; the black-and-white photograph is of Bratton conducting a maneuvers briefing. Michelin map and silk map are folded and exhibit creases. The Michelin map exhibits markings in blue ink that track Patton's route which were most likely penned by Bratton. The ephemera is well preserved and exhibits typical blemishes from storage. This collection was sold at Bauman Rare Books. CONDITION: Good. Paperwork: Previous Descriptions