| In August 1918, Lieutenant Colonel George Smith Patton Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was placed in charge of the United States Army 1st Provisional Tank Brigade, redesignated the 304th Tank Brigade on November 6, 1918. Patton’s Light Tank Brigade was part of Colonel Samuel Rockenbach’s (January 27, 1869 – May 16, 1952) Tank Corps, part of the American 1st Army. Personally overseeing the logistics of the tanks in their 1st combat use by American forces, and reconnoitering the target area for their 1st attack himself, Patton ordered that no American tank be surrendered. Patton commanded American-crewed Renault FT tanks at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, leading the tanks from the front for much of their attack, which began on September 12. He walked in front of the tanks into the German-held village of Essey, and rode on top of a tank during the attack into Pannes, seeking to inspire his men. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2151.jpg |
| Image Size | 686.10 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2812 x 2240 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | July 15, 1918 |
| Location | |
| City | Langres |
| State or Province | Grand Est |
| Country | France |
| Archive | United States Army Center of Military History |
| Record Number | 180701-O-D0439-001C |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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