Patch III , Alexander McCarrell.

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Patch III , Alexander McCarrell, born 11-07-1920 in Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA, to Lieutenant  General Alexander McCarrell Patch (1889–1945) and his wife Julia Adrianne, born Litell, Patch (1893–1988). Patch graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1942,

the son of the famed World War II General Alexander Patch who had graduated with the Class of 1913.

On 23 and 27 August 1944, Captain Alexander McCarrell Patch III was Commanding Company B, 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, under command of Major General Ira Thomas Wyche, Sixth Army Group.On those days, Captain Patch’s unit was in action against German forces and the objective of the 315th Infantry Regiment was to capture the high ground in the vicinity of Sailly, north of Limay, France. As the bitterly-contested attack continued, the advantage belonged to the Germans for they had dug in and camouflaged themselves in positions that commanded the surrounding terrain. As the attack moved out of the woods onto open ground, Captain Patch’s Company B had a slight downgrade toward securely established German positions. With Captain Patch in front of his troops, B Company advanced under heavy enemy small arms fire but it was almost impossible to see exactly where the fire was emanating. Captain Patch urged his men on until finally a bullet hit him in the shoulder but, never faltering, he continued leading the attack for two hours while bleeding profusely and growing weaker from loss of blood. Captain Patch refused treatment until the objective was in sight and the success of the attack was a certainty. Captain Patch’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism during that time earned him the U.S. Army’s second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross .Captain Patch was killed in action as his unit attacked to take the high ground east of Emberménil, France, on 22-10-1944, age 24.

Medals, Awards and Badges:Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters,Distinguished Service Cross Citation:The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress 09-07-1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Alexander McCarrell Patch, III (ASN: 0-24723), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while Commanding an Infantry Company of the 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 23 and 27 August 1944. The regimental objective was to capture the high ground in the vicinity of Sailly north of Limay. The attack continued but the advance was bitterly contested. The advantage was all the enemy’s for they had ample opportunity to dig in and camouflage themselves in positions that commanded the surrounding terrain. As the attack moved out of the woods on to open ground, Company B had a slight downgrade toward securely established enemy positions. However, with Captain Patch in front of his troops, the company advanced under heavy small arms fire. It was almost impossible to see from whence the fire emanated.

Death and burial ground of Patch III , Alexander McCarrell.

Captain Patch spurred his men on, always in the foreground, until finally a bullet hit him in the shoulder. This did not deter him from his task. Never faltering for a moment he continued to lead the attack for two hours after being hit. All the time he was bleeding profusely and growing weaker from loss of blood. No amount of persuasion would make him retire until the objective was in sight and then only with great reluctance. By this time the success of the attack was a certainty. At all times throughout this attack Captain Patch displayed unusual courage and valor. Patch III died age 24 on 22-10-1944. The extraordinary heroism displayed distinguishes Captain Patch as upholding the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Alexander Jr in 1942 was married to Genevieve, born Spalding Cutler (1920–2001

and they had one son Alexander Patch IV who died 12-02-1946 ( age 2)  three months after his grandfather General Patch and one and a half year after his dad.

Captain Alexander McCarrell Patch III is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France, in Plot A, Row 9, Grave 63.

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