The General who used a pistol to threaten his own soldiers

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: During the 1943 invasion of Sicily, Lieutenant General George S. Patton physically assaulted two American soldiers in field hospitals. Driven by a profound distrust of combat fatigue, the commander struck men appearing to have no physical injuries, an act of aggression that eventually reached the highest levels of Allied leadership.

While the Allies invaded Sicily, Lieutenant General George S. Patton, nicknamed "Old Blood-and-Guts," participated in two fierce clashes throughout early August 1943. Patton, a commander celebrated for his effectiveness but criticized for his impulsiveness, encountered soldiers suffering from what was then termed "exhaustion" or "combat fatigue." At the time, the military's understanding of psychological trauma was evolving from the "shell shock" of World War I, yet many leaders still viewed such symptoms as cowardice or malingering.

On August 3, at the 15th Evacuation Hospital near Nicosia, Patton encountered Private Charles H. Kuhl. Finding Kuhl appeared unwounded, Patton slapped him and physically shoved him from his tent. While Patton labeled him a "gutless bastard," medical records later revealed Kuhl was actually suffering from a 102.2 °F fever caused by malaria. A week later, on August 10, at the 93rd Evacuation Hospital, Patton struck Private Paul G. Bennett, who was experiencing intense anxiety due to recent shelling. In this second incident, Patton reportedly drew his pistol and threatened to have Bennett executed by a firing squad.

The fallout reached General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who issued a sharp reprimand via a secret letter on August 17, 1943, warning that Patton's "uncontrollable temper" cast doubt on his future usefulness. Even though Drew Pearson later revealed these details to Americans, Eisenhower and Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall decided against sacking Patton, acknowledging his great strategic importance. Eisenhower even utilized Patton's reputation as a decoy in Operation Fortitude to mislead German intelligence regarding the upcoming invasion of Europe.

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