Colonel Patton's Actions with Tank Corps During A.E.F. Operations Near Cheppy, France

On 26/09/1918, Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton Jr. led the 1st Provisional Tank Brigade during the opening day of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive near Cheppy, France. Commanding French built Renault FT tanks, Patton advanced with his brigade through dense morning fog in the valley of the Aire as American forces began their attack against German positions. Rather than remaining at a rear command post, he moved forward on foot to observe the battlefield and direct tank movements in coordination with infantry units from the U.S. 35th Division. As the advance stalled under heavy German machine gun and artillery fire outside Cheppy, Patton encountered disorganized infantry elements taking cover. He rallied a group of soldiers and organized a renewed push forward. During the effort, Patton led a small detachment of six men accompanied by a single tank in an assault against German machine gun nests that were holding up the advance. While directing the action, he was struck by machine gun fire, receiving a wound to the thigh. Despite being injured, he continued issuing orders until loss of blood forced him to take cover in a shell hole, where he remained until evacuation later in the day. Patton’s actions during the fighting near Cheppy contributed to his reputation for forward leadership in combat. He later received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism, and on 17/10/1918 he was promoted to the temporary rank of colonel in the Tank Corps of the U.S. National Army. The experience reinforced his continued interest in armored mobility, which he pursued during the interwar period as the U.S. Army adjusted to postwar reductions.