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John F. Patton, Jr. Papers

Historical Note

Dr. John F. Patton, Jr. was born in Albany, Missouri on September 27, 1903. He graduated from the Washington University School of Medicine in 1928 and completed his residency in urology at Barnes Hospital. Dr. Patton served on the faculty of Washington University School of Medicine in the Department of Urology as a clinical assistant professor. During World War II, he served in the Army in Africa, Italy, and France as the chief of surgical services of the 21st General Hospital, a reserve unit of Washington University. During this time, he was the recipient of the Legion of Merit and his unit received a number of commendations.

Provenance

The items in this collection were the gift of Dr. Patton’s sons, John F. Patton, III and James L. Patton on April 17, 2008 (Accession #2008-031).

Access and Use

The collection is open and accessible for research. Certain categories of documentation, however, may carry restrictions on access. For detailed information, contact the Archives and Rare Book Department of the Becker Medical Library (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Scope and Content

This collection contains the personal papers, photographs, motion pictures, and artifacts collected by John F. Patton, Jr. that relate to his service in the U.S. Army’s 21st General Hospital during World War II.

Preferred Citation

John F. Patton, Jr. Papers, Washington University School of Medicine.

Related Material

General Hospital 21 Records – Subgroup 2: Surgical Service. Washington University School of Medicine.

VC174 (General Hospital 21 Surgical Service photographs) – 13 photographs from General Hospital 21 at Ravenel Hospital, Mirecourt, France, 1944-1945.

Organization of the Collection (Series List)

Total Boxes: 6

Series 1: Publications, 1935-1987. Boxes 1-2.

Series 2: 21st General Hospital, 1942-1985. Boxes 3-5.

Series 3: Admiral Karl Donitz, 1946-1981. Box 6.

Container List

Series 1: Publications, 1935-1987. Boxes 1-2.

This series consists of booklets, brochures, maps, newspaper clippings, and pamphlets that were collected by Dr. Patton and his family during the course of World War II.

Box 1 of 6

1.	Bartholomew’s Map of Europe & the Mediterranean, 1935.
2.	Bou Hanifia Brochure, 1935.
3.	“La Cathedrale de Strasbourg,” 1941.
4.	Dated Events War Map, 1942.
5.	The German Soldier, 1944.
6.	Great Photographs of World War II, 1964.
7.	Manual of Therapy, 1944.
8.	Map of England & Wales, undated.
9.	Mud, Mules, and Mountains, 1944.
10.	Nervous In the Service, undated.
11.	Newspaper Clippings, “Virginia Lee’s Letters,” 1944-1945.
12.	Newspaper Clippings, Washington University, 1941-1947.
13.	“A Personal Message from General Dwight Eisenhower,” 1943.
14.	Postcards, “Barrage de Bou-Hanifia-les-Thermes,” undated.
15.	Postcards, Bou-Hanifia, undated.
16.	“Ravenel,” 1952.
17.	Report on the Allied Expeditionary Force, undated.
18.	“Surgery in World War II,” Edited by John F Patton, MD, 1987.
19.	That Men Might Live, undated.
20.	Washington University Medical Alumni Quarterly, Volume 9 Number 2, January 1946.
21.	Weekly Bulletin of the St Louis Medical Society, “Service Mail Box,” Excerpts from Dr Patton’s Letters, undated.

Box 2 of 6

1.	Life, 1944 January 24.
2.	St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1942 February 22.
3.	Stars and Stripes, Volume 1 Number 3, 1942 December 23.
4.	“Triennale D’Oltremare Planimetria Generale,” undated.
5.	Yank, Volume 1 Number 28, 1943 January 03.

Back to Series List

Series 2: 21st General Hospital, 1942-1985. Boxes 3-5.

This series contains Dr. Patton’s collection of documents obtained during his service with the 21st General Hospital, correspondence with his former co-workers, and a DVD depicting some of his experiences during World War II. Also included are two scrapbooks compiled by Dr. Patton and his family as well as an American flag used by 21st General Hospital.

Box 3 of 6

1.	21st General Hospital, Addresses of Former Members, 1975.
2.	21st General Hospital, Annual History, 1943.
3.	21st General Hospital, Directory, undated.
4.	21st General Hospital, Headquarters, 1942.
5.	21st General Hospital, “Highlights,” undated.
6.	21st General Hospital, “Honorary Arab of Bou Hanifia” awarded to Dr. Patton, undated.
7.	21st General Hospital, Notes on the Marijana, undated.
8.	21st General Hospital, Program for Dinner Honoring Hospital Staff, 1945.
9.	21st General Hospital, Reunion, 1975.
10.	21st General Hospital, Surgical Service Annual History, 1943.
11.	“21st Headline News,” 1943, 1945.
12.	Correspondence, 21st General Hospital Reunions, 1969-1985.
13.	Correspondence, Cady, Lee D, 1967-1985.
14.	Correspondence, General, 1943-1985.
15.	Draft of Lee Cady’s Manuscript with Corrections and Suggestions, 1957.
16.	“The Epic of the Bedpan,” undated.
17.	“Oran, November 8, 1942.”
18.	World War II Movies (DVD), undated.

Box 4 of 6

1.	Scrapbook 1, Newspaper clippings, postcards, and photographs compiled by Dr. Patton’s family.
2.	Scrapbook 2, Photographs taken by Dr. Patton while working for the 21st General Hospital during World War II.

Box 5 of 6

1.	American Flag used by 21st General Hospital in Mirecourt, France during WWII.

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Series 3: Admiral Karl Donitz, 1946-1981. Box 6.

This series contains newspaper clippings and correspondence between Dr. Patton and Karl Donitz. Donitz served as an admiral in the German navy during World War II. After the war, Dr. Patton performed surgery on Donitz, who was serving a ten-year prison sentence for war crimes.

Box 6 of 6

1.	Newspaper clippings regarding Karl Donitz, 1946-1981.
2.	German newspaper clippings regarding Donitz operation, 1955.
3.	Photo of Karl Donitz, undated.
4.	U.S. Army letter authorizing Dr. Patton’s travel to Berlin for Donitz operation, January 1955.
5.	Letter, Ernest Aitelli to Patton, January 1955.
6.	Letter, Inge Donitz to Patton, August 1955.
7.	Letter, Patton to Donitz, January 1972.
8.	Letter, Donitz to Patton, January 1972.
9.	Letter, Donitz to Patton, July 1975.
10.	Letters regarding Patton and Donitz reunion meeting, 1975-1976.

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