ARMY & NAVY: The General Takes a Swim

ARMY & NAVY

Like Israel Putnam, George Custer and Teddy Roosevelt of the Rough Riders, loud, swashbuckling, profane Lieut. General George Smith Patton Jr. is the kind of soldier who makes legend as spontaneously as he inspires the fierce and prideful affection of his men. Last week another chapter, possibly apocryphal, was added to the Patton legend.

A returned soldier in Baltimore told the tale:

In January the 4th Infantry Division had knifed its way to the Sauer River. Across the stream lay Bettendorf. Georgie Patton wanted Bettendorf taken, but the doughfoots of the...

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