While working to get this blog on the road, Major General Patton came to mind and it seemed appropriate to pay him some tribute by posting a little story about his time in service and his funeral service. He is yet another American hero who served our country admirably.
The following shortcut will take you to an interview of his that I hope you enjoy. General Patton’s wife (widow), Joanne, is a great American patriot who continues to dedicate much of her life to keeping patriotism alive. Mrs. Patton, the daughter of General Willard Holbrook (11th U. S. Armorded Division) once relayed to me the story of the Holbrook-Patton Flag. The 11th Armored Division reached the Danube opposite Linz, Austria. TF Wingard after taking Urfa-LinzIndustrial center at 1100, took Linz at 1800. Linz offered to surrender, but General Holbrook enterred the city first with only two troops and discovered white sheets flying from nearly every window. General Holbroook ordered the Stars and Stripes to be hoisted. Later, upon the death of General George S. Patton, during December 1945, a search was unleashed to find the Stars and Stripes that had penetrated to the furthermost eastern point. The flag that flew at Linz was retrieved and used on the casket of General Patton. Coincidentally, Joanne, the daughter of General holbrook would later meet and marry the son of Patton, also named George S. Patton (later Major General ). The original flag was later discovered with the documents that unveiled the unknown story of its travels. That same flag was used at the funeral of General Holbrook when he was buried at West Point (July 1986). It was also borrowed by the city of Linz for their 50-year celebration. Later, during 2004, the flag was reluctantly called upon one more time. The Holbrook-Patton flag as it is known arrived at Arlington and used during the ceremony of Major General George S. Patton on 27 August, 2004 when he was laid to rest. The Holbrook-Patton flag is now back at the Patton museum (Fort Knox, Kentucky).
This is a farewell tribute to Major General George S. Patton who passed away on June 27, 2004 and was later on 27 August 2004 interred at Arlington National Cemetery. The episode includes an interview with the general during 1991 and it includes a section regarding his funeral written by one of the men who served under him in Vietnam, BobHersey.
The Tribute to Major General George S. Patton:
http://usmilitaryhistory.com/podcast/gspatton.mp3
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