What is George S. Patton slapping incidents?
[[File:Patton speech 1 April 1944 side view.jpg|thumb|right|300px|{{Center|Patton giving a speech to the 3rd Army}}]] The '''George S. Patton slapping incidents''' refer to two events that involved an [[United States|American]] [[General officer|general]], [[George S. Patton]]. These happened during the [[World War II]] [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] campaign in [[Sicily]]. General Patton slapped two [[soldier]]s he thought were [[:wikt:coward|cowards]] who were in hospitals for [[:en:wikt:battle fatigue|battle fatigue]]. The general lost his [[Command (military)|command]]. He was sent back to [[England]] and played no part in the [[D-Day]] [[:wikt:landing|landing]] in [[Normandy#Invasion_of_Normandy_WW_II|Normandy]]. == Background == George Patton believed it was part of a general's work to visit his wounded [[soldier]]s in hospitals.<ref name=Hassell119>Agostino von Hassell; Ed Breslin, ''Patton: The Pursuit of Destiny'' (Nashville: Nelson, 2010), p. 119</ref> He did this more than other generals, even though he personally found it hard to do. His usual visit included talking to the soldiers and telling them how much he appreciated their [[courage]].<ref name=Hassell119/> His aides followed him, pinning [[medal]]s on soldiers as they went. General [[Omar Bradley]], who knew Patton well, said that when it came to his men Patton was [[:en:wikt:softhearted|softhearted]] in spite of his [[:en:wikt:gruff|gruff]] [[:wikt:manner|manner]].<ref name=Hassell119/> Growing up, Patton had serious doubts about himself. He came from a long line of military [[:wikt:hero|heroes]]<ref name=Hassellxviii>Agostino von Hassell; Ed Breslin, ''Patton: The Pursuit of Destiny'' (Nashville: Nelson, 2010), p. xviii</ref> and one of his greatest fears was that he might be a coward in [[battle]].<ref name=Hassellxviii/> Through his own strength of will, he conquered his fear.<ref name=Sneiderman263>Barney Sneiderman, ''Warriors Seven: Seven American Commanders, Seven Wars, and the Irony of Battle '' (New York : Savas Beatie, 2006),