Edwin D. Patrick
Major General Edwin Davies Patrick (11 January 1894 – 14 March 1945) was an American general who was the commander of the 6th Infantry Division during World War II.
Biography
He was born January 11, 1894 in Perry County, Indiana, was the son of John Thomas Patrick and Anna Elnore Menninger, sister of Carl Frederick Menninger, founder of the Menninger Clinic. Patrick was raised in Tell City, Indiana, and was commissioned in the Indiana National Guard in 1915 following his graduation from college. He fought in World War I and participated in the Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.
During World War II, Patrick served on the staff of Admiral William Halsey for a brief period and then became Chief of Staff of General Walter Krueger's 6th Army. He was the commander of the task forces in the battles of Wakde and Noemfoor. Afterwards, he was given command of the 6th Infantry Division.
He was mortally wounded in action on 14 March 1945 during the Philippines campaign of 1944-45 while leading his men. He was one of only three American division commanders to die in combat action in World War II. Patrick was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. A Navy transport ship, USNS General Edwin D. Patrick (T-AP-124), was named in his honor.
