Controversial Statements and Command of Fifteenth Army

In October 1945, General George S. Patton Jr. was reassigned from command of the U.S. Third Army to lead the Fifteenth Army following a series of public controversies in occupied Germany. After World War II in Europe ended in May 1945, Patton and the Third Army remained in Bavaria as part of the U.S. occupation forces. During this period, Patton made comments to journalists that criticized Allied denazification policies and compared membership in the Nazi Party to affiliation with American political parties. The remarks drew attention from Allied leadership and led to concerns within Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. On 07/10/1945, General Dwight D. Eisenhower removed Patton from command of the Third Army and reassigned him to the Fifteenth Army, headquartered in Bad Nauheim, Germany. The Fifteenth Army had been activated primarily to compile historical records and documentation of operations in the European Theater of Operations. Patton assumed command of the unit in October 1945 and oversaw administrative and historical review work rather than field operations. Patton remained in this role until he was injured in an automobile accident near Mannheim, Germany, on 09/12/1945. He was hospitalized in Heidelberg and died on 21/12/1945. His reassignment to the Fifteenth Army marked his final command and ended his operational leadership following World War II combat operations in Europe.