George Patton, Jr. FF Dating from Soldier-Slapping Sicilian Campaign, PSA/DNA Slabbed & Graded Mint 9!
Part of a free franked envelope fully engrossed by future 4-star U.S. Army General George Patton, Jr. (1885-1945), signed by him as "Lt. Gen. G.S. Patton Jr." and also inscribed as "APO 758 c/o PM NY," which was the Grand Central Annex address for Palermo, Sicily. The APO address dates this free frank to July - December 1943. PSA/DNA graded Mint 9. Light overall toning and expected wrinkles, else near fine. The slab measures 5.25" x 3.125".
Patton signed this free frank sometime during his six-month-long command of Seventh United States Army units in Operation Husky, or the invasion of Sicily. Patton's Americans facilitated the landing of Bernard Law Montgomery's British Eighth Army, and scourged the island's Axis forces. In August 1943, Patton slapped two different army privates invalided with shell shock and exhaustion, accusing them of cowardice. These incidents eventually led to Patton's dismissal from Seventh Army command.
George Patton, Jr. was a career military officer whose 36 years of military service spanned three military conflicts including both world wars. Patton sortied against partisans of Pancho Villa in Mexico in 1915-1916, and he was later dispatched to the Western Front as a personal aide to General John "Black Jack" Pershing. It was during World War II, however, that Patton made his most indelible mark. "Old Blood and Guts" served as an army commander leading Allied expeditions in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, eastern France, the Benelux Countries, and Germany. Patton died of complications following a car accident in Luxembourg in December 1945.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.
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