Description:

George S. Patton, Jr.
various, ca. 1941-1945
Gen. Patton to Mother of Fallen Solider: "…we should not…regret that such men have died, rather we should thank God [they] have lived", 75 Pcs.
Archive
A poignant collection of approximately 75 items surrounding the combat death of Private Sam Reichstein. The solider died on September 21, 1943 after stepping upon a land mine near Salerno, Italy, with much of the archive relating to his mother Viola's desperate attempts to determine his fate after receiving no news of him. Ranging in date from 1941 to 1945. Contents consists of letters, telegrams, relics, and three items signed "G. S. Patton, Jr.", including a rare, emotional letter from the General to Mrs. Reichstein. Exhibits varying degrees of scattered soiling, flattened letter folds, and edge tearing throughout. Expected wear to artifacts, including light rubbing and surface scratching. Remarkable contents, including one of the finest Patton letters we have seen.

The General writes in full from Seventh Army Headquarters on January 12, 1944, two weeks before he would be given command of the Third Army:

"It is perfectly futile to try to comfort anyone on the loss of a son, but I do think that you should be proud to be the mother of one of our heroes who gave his life in the defense of his country.

I can never look on one of our wounded soldiers or on the corpses of one of our men without my eyes filling with tears and my throat choking up, but we should not, as I often say, regret that such men have died, rather we should thank God that men like that have lived.

With renewed expressions of sympathy, I am,

Most sincerely,

G. S. Patton Jr."

Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope censored and signed: 'Censored G. S. Patton Jr. Lt. Gen.'

Just a month earlier, Patton sought to reassure Mrs. Reichstein's on the uncertain status of her son's whereabouts, again sent from Seventh Army Headquarters, on December 5, 1943:

"At the present time, the 180th Infantry is not under my command, but I am inclosing a copy of a letter which I have written and to which you will unquestionably receive an answer. However, to reassure, you, I will state that the War Department is very quick and accurate in giving notice of fatal wounds; therefore, since you have not heard anything for three weeks I am sure that it is a good sign and that your son is probably well on the road to recovery."

Among Private Reichstein's personal property are his named Purple Heart with case, detached at hinges, with two other cased WWII Victory and Defense Medals; his dog tag with lead seal attaching it to the aluminum tag which accompanied his remains when shipped home to Philadelphia; two garrison caps; two small photographs; five war-dated letters sent to his sister; and a personal address book which accompanied his effects.

Highlights from the archive's dozens of letters, documents, and telegrams include:

- November 7, 1944 letter from Reichstein's staff sergeant: "I am writing you this letter...because of a promise I made your son Slim, I was his platoon Sgt, and was with him in the end...So I am keeping my promise by writing you...he was the only man that followed me in taking a hill…".

- December 14, 1943 letter from his first sergeant: "Sam was wounded in action and sent to a hospital. I haven't heard from him since…".

- Carbon of a December 5, 1943 letter sent via Gen. Mark Clark- likely instigated by Patton- seeking information on Reichstein.

- Typed letter to Viola from a general on White House letterhead advising that the War Department had been notified to act on her request.

- Letter dated March 14, 1945 from Adjutant and Maj. Gen. J. A. ULIO advising of Sam's death and apologizing for the delay in the notification.

- Sam's March 14, 1941 draft notice, dozens of letters, documents and telegrams concerning locating the private, support by Jewish and other support groups, life insurance policies, his resting place in Italy, and the repatriation of his remains, pensions, etc., including a letter of apology for the man's exclusion from the 180th Infantry 1945 year book.

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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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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: Archive

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