Patton’s Prayer: A True Story of Courage, Faith, and Victory in World War II

In early December 1944, the efforts of the U.S. Third Army, led by Gen. George S. Patton, ground to a halt due to a seemingly endless inundation of rain and mud. Desperate to get his army moving, Patton asked chaplain James Hugh O’Neill, a Catholic priest, to compose a prayer for good weather. Patton liked the prayer so much that he ordered 250,000 copies printed and distributed to his troops. The inclement weather gave Hitler cover to assemble his forces and attack in Belgium, but fair weather returned in time for Patton’s army to spearhead the relief of the surrounded American forces in Bastogne. Journalist Kershaw (Against All Odds) highlights the seemingly contradictory personality of Patton, portrayed as equal parts vain, pompous, and vulgar but with a trust in God and belief in the power of prayer. Kershaw also follows the Third Army’s actions from the Battle of the Bulge up to the end of the war.