It was December 17th, 1944 and General Patton’s Third Army was heading straight for the Ardennes. Patton had promised to close the “Bulge” and relieve Bastogne. He gave the order to swing the Third Army from an eastward attack to a northward attack. A blizzard was raging now in the Ardennes and Patton knew he needed the help of a higher authority if his Army was to get to the Ardennes on time and as promised. So, Patton, being Patton, called for his Chaplain, Colonel James H. ONeill. He ordered ONeill to write a prayer asking for good weather so he could push through and beat the Germans. ONeill, not too sure about asking for divine intervention to inflect death upon others asked Patton, Sir, surely you dont want me to ask for divine assistance in killing people. Patton looked sternly at O’Neill and said, I want a prayer for good weather and I want it now. The Chaplain immediately left the Generals office and wrote the prayer. On the 20th of December the sky cleared and the XIX Tactical Air Commands planes were at last in the air and giving the Germans Hell. More importantly the Third Army was again moving northward and could now get on with the job relieving Bastogne. Patton’s immediate response to this change in weather was to award the Bronze Star Medal to Chaplain ONeill. The full text of that Prayer and General Pattons Christmas Message is below: To each officer and soldier in the Third United States Army, I wish a Merry Christmas. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We march in our might to complete victory. May Gods blessing rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day. G.S. PATTON, JR., Lieutenant General, Commanding, Third United States Army ________________________________________ PRAYER ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech of Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen. ________________________________________ MERRY CHRISTMAS KELLIES AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR OLD SGT. GUFFY! 07
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 21:56:21 +0000
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