Edwin D. Patrick

Edwin Davies Patrick
Born January 11, 1894
Tell City, Indiana
Died March 14, 1945 (aged 51)
near Montalban, Luzon
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1915-1945
Rank Major General
Unit 14th Machine Gun Battalion
15th Infantry Division
Commands held 6th Infantry Division
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Medal
Purple Heart

Major General Edwin Davies Patrick (11 January 1894 – 14 March 1945) was an American general who was the commander of the 6th Infantry Division during World War II.

Biography

He was born January 11, 1894 in Perry County, Indiana, was the son of John Thomas Patrick and Anna Elnore Menninger, sister of Carl Frederick Menninger, founder of the Menninger Clinic. Patrick was raised in Tell City, Indiana, and was commissioned in the Indiana National Guard in 1915 following his graduation from college. He fought in World War I and participated in the Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.[1]

During World War II, Patrick served on the staff of Admiral William Halsey for a brief period and then became Chief of Staff of General Walter Krueger's 6th Army.[1] He was the commander of the task forces in the battles of Wakde and Noemfoor. Afterwards, he was given command of the 6th Infantry Division.[1]

MG Patrick

He was mortally wounded in action on 14 March 1945 during the Philippines campaign of 1944-45 while leading his men. He was one of only three American division commanders to die in combat action in World War II.[1] Patrick was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. A Navy transport ship, USNS General Edwin D. Patrick (T-AP-124), was named in his honor.

Funeral service for MG Patrick

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Heefner