Army & Navy – Patton’s Promotion

Franklin Roosevelt invited Lieut. General George S. Patton Jr. to share his jeep on a review of troops in the Middle East, and the U.S. press reported the gesture. Nevertheless, the Senate subcommittee which was considering Patton’s promotion (from his present permanent rank of colonel to permanent major general) was unimpressed. Last week the subcommittee postponed action.

Held up with Patton’s were promotions of eleven other war-made lieutenant generals :

Mark Wayne Clark, Brehon B. Somer-vell, Joseph W. Stilwell, Joseph T. Mc-Narney, Ira C. Eaker, Carl Spaatz, Millard F. Harmon, Omar Nelson Bradley, Robert L. Eichelberger, George C. Kenney and Jap-imprisoned Jonathan M. Wainwright. Also held up were the promotions of two major generals: Thomas T. Handy and Walter B. Smith.

The Army’s plan for higher permanent rank for its top men, some of whom (e.g., Clark, Kenney, Eaker) are still only lieutenant colonels in the regular promotion list, had hit a pesky snag. But Army men hoped that it would disappear in time—perhaps by the time Congress reconvenes on Jan. 10.