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The Slap Heard Around the World

Private Paul G. Bennett, US Army


Some of this Bennett data is from:
 Axis History website: http://forum.axishistory.com/
​ Straight Dope website: http://boards.straightdope.com/
 Flattop's History, War, & Politics: http://flattopshistorywarpolitics.yuku.com/topic/247/Pattons-Slapping-Incidents#.U7mU1_k7us8
 Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton_slapping_incidents

​ Private Paul G. Bennett had enlisted in the regular army before Pearl Harbor, and served with impersonal distinction with the 105th Field Artillery Battalion in North Africa and Sicily. When his wife gave birth to their first baby, he became restless and when she also sent him a picture of herself with the infant he began to show symptoms of acute nervous tension. 
 A frontline psychiatrist diagnosed his condition as a case of anxiety neurosis, probably caused by 'fear that he would not be able to see his newborn baby before he died.'
 "Bennett's condition became aggravated on 6th August when his best friend in C battery was wounded in action at his side." "On the morning of the fateful 10th August a medical officer ordered him to the 93rd Evac although "Bennett begged not to be evacuated because he did not want to leave his unit."

 " PATTON: ORDEAL AND TRIUMPH Ladidas Farrago---Wikipedia 10 August, 1943 Private Paul G. Bennett, b abt 1922. Private Paul G. Bennett, 21, of C Battery, U.S. 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, was a four-year veteran of the U.S. Army, and had served in the division since March 1943. Records show he had no medical history until 6 August 1943, when a friend was wounded in combat. According to a report, he "could not sleep and was nervous." to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital. 
 In addition to having a fever, he exhibited symptoms of dehydration, including fatigue, confusion, and listlessness. His request to return to his unit was turned down by medical officers. The shells going over him bothered him. The next day he was worried about his buddy and became more nervous. He was sent down to the rear echelon by a battery aid man and there the medical aid man gave him some medicine which made him sleep, but still he was nervous and disturbed. 
 On the next day the medical officer ordered him to be evacuated, although the boy begged not to be evacuated because he did not want to leave his unit. A medical officer describing Bennett's condition. On 10 August, General George Patton entered the receiving tent of the hospital, speaking to the injured there. Patton approached Bennett, who was huddled and shivering, and asked what the trouble was. "It's my nerves," Bennett responded. "I can't stand the shelling anymore." reportedly became enraged at him, slapping him across the face. He began yelling: "Your nerves, hell, you are just a goddamned coward. Shut up that goddamned crying. I won't have these brave men who have been shot at seeing this yellow bastard sitting here crying." then reportedly slapped Bennett again, knocking his helmet liner off, and ordered the receiving officer, Major Charles B. Etter, going back to the front lines and you may get shot and killed, but you're going to fight. If you don't, I'll stand you up against a wall and have a firing squad kill you on purpose. In fact, I ought to shoot you myself, you goddamned whimpering coward." 
 Patton pulled out his pistol threateningly, prompting the hospital's commander, Colonel Donald E. Currier, to physically separate the two. Patton left the tent, yelling to medical officers to send Bennett back to the front lines. As he toured the remainder of the hospital, Patton continued discussing Bennett's condition with Currier. Patton stated, "I can't help it, it makes my blood boil to think of a yellow bastard being babied," probably have to shoot them some time anyway, or we'll raise a breed of morons."
 Patton told the doctors not to admit him and "I won't have those cowardly bastards hanging around our hospitals. 

 Exhibit 2 - Pvt. Paul G. Bennet, C Battery, 17th Field Artillery, was admitted to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital on 10 August '43. This patient was a 21 year old boy who had served four years in the regular Army. His unit had been with II Corps since March and he had never had any difficulties until August 6th, when his buddy was wounded. He could not sleep that night and felt nervous. The shells going over him bothered him. The next day he was worried about his buddy and became more nervous. He was sent down to the rear echelon by a battery aid man and there the medical officer game him some medicine which made him sleep, but still he was nervous and disturbed. On the next day the medical officer ordered him to be evacuated, although the 'boy' begged not to be evacuated because he did not want to leave his unit. Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., entered the receiving tent and spoke to all the injured men. The next patient was sitting huddled up and shivering. When asked what his trouble was, the man replied, 'It's my nerves,' and he began to sob. The General then screamed at him, 'What did you say?' The man replied, 'It's my nerves, I can't stand the shelling anymore.' He was still sobbing. The General then yelled at him, 'Your nerves, hell; you are just a goddamned coward, you yellow son of a bitch.' He then slapped the man and said, 'Shut up that goddamned crying. I won't have these brave men here who have been shot at seeing a yellow bastard sitting here crying.' He then struck the man again, knocking his helmet liner off and into the next tent. He then turned to the admitting officer and yelled, 'Don't admit this yellow bastard; there's nothing the matter with him. I won't have the hospitals cluttered up with these sons of bitches who haven't got the guts to fight.' He then turned to the man again, who was managing to sit at attention though shaking all over and said, 'You're going back to the front lines and you may get shot and killed, but you're going to fight. If you don't, I'll stand you up against a wall and have a firing squad kill you on purpose. In fact,' he said, reaching for his pistol, 'I ought to shoot you myself, you Goddamned whimpering coward.' As he left the tent, the general was still yelling back to the receiving officer to send that yellow son of a bitch back to the front line. Nurses and patients attracted by the shouting and cursing came from adjoining tents and witnessed this disturbance. The deleterious effects of such incidents upon the well being of patients, upon the professional morale of hospital staffs, and upon the relationship of patient to physician are incalculable. It is imperative that immediate steps be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

"http://www.vhpa.org/DAT/DATINDEX.HTM

Major (MAJ) Allen C. Bennett. Died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/23/1973 at the age of 43  Date of Birth 07/15/1929. Served in the U.S. Army

BENNETT DONALD PLTC Donald P Bennett was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 09/07/2011 at the age of 78 Rolla, MO Date of Birth 06/25/1933 Served in the U.S. Army

BENNETT HOWARD HCWO Howard H. Bennett was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam Flight Class 59-1 Served in the U.S. Army This information was provided by Harold Kernahan
BENNETT JAMES BCW4 James B. Bennett was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 01/01/1985 at the age of 37 (Exact date not known.) from Slid off the road in a truck in early 80'S in Vermont. Flew Cobras out of Cu Chi on second tour. Flight Class 68-519/68-35 Date of Birth 10/07/1947 Served in the U.S. Army Served in Vietnam with D/3/4 CAV 25 INF in 68-69, D/3/4 CAV 25 INF in 69-70 This information was provided by John M. Lanning This information was last updated 06/09/2006 
BENNETT LYNN RWO1 Lynn R. Bennett was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/31/2003 at the age of 59 Ogden, UT Flight Class 69-25 Date of Birth 05/26/1944 Served in the U.S. Army This information was provided by SSN search This information was last updated 02/22/2004 
BENNETT RALPH OLTC Ralph O. Bennett was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/17/2009 at the age of 88 Prattville, AL Date of Birth 03/17/1921 Served in the U.S. Army This information was provided by SSN search Jan 2010 This information was last updated 01/07/2010 
BENNETT RICHARD RRichard R. Bennett was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/01/1972 at the age of 27 (Exact date not known.) Date of Birth 06/02/1945 Served in the U.S. Marine Corps This information was provided by SSN deceased search This information was last updated 08/11/2004 
BENNETT ROBERT JMAJ Robert J. Bennett was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 08/01/1983 at the age of 50 (Exact date not known.) Date of Birth 12/14/1932 Served in the U.S. Air Force This information was provided by SSN deceased search This information was last updated 08/11/2004 
BENNETT ROBERT J #1WO1 Robert J. Bennett was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 03/06/2006 at the age of 60 Crandall, TX Flight Class 69-1 Date of Birth 09/25/1945 Served in the U.S. Army Served in Vietnam with A/159 AVN 101 ABN in 69-70 Call sign in Vietnam PACHYDERM This information was provided by SSN search 090108
BENNETT ROLAND BRoland B. Bennett was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 06/01/1987 at the age of 55 (Exact date not known.) Date of Birth 11/29/1931 Served in the U.S. Air Force This information was provided by SSN deceased search This information was last updated 08/11/2004 
BENNETT WILLARD MCOL Willard "Will" M. Bennett was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/20/2009 at the age of 78 from After a long and courageous battle against cancer. St Petersburg, FL Flight Class 55-A Date of Birth 05/07/1931 Served in the U.S. Army Served in Vietnam with C/229 AHB 1 CAV in 65-66, 11 AVN in 68-69, HHC/227 AHB 1 CAV in 69 Call sign in Vietnam AXEL/LIGHTNING 6 This information was provided by Robert "Ken" Jayne, Don Joyce More detail on this person: Willard M. Bennett, Jr. Col USA (Ret), Aviator, Friend - a Life Member of the Army Otter Caribou Association, he had been a member for 20 years, served as Treasurer of the Association for about twelve years, and had flown Otters with the 12th Aviation Company. Will had also been a HU-1 'Huey' Company commander for the 1st Air Cav and had been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. Services will be held Friday 30th October 2009, 1000 A.M. at St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral 140 4th St N , St Petersburg , FL 33701. Light refreshments will be served across the street at the conclusion of the service, before internment at Bay Pines scheduled for 1245 hrs. For further information please contact Col Charlie Parsons at 727-522-8198 
BENNETT, Col. Willard M. 78, passed away on Oct. 20, 2009, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vonnie; son Scott Bennett; daughter Lori Bennett Mattice and four grandchildren, Steven Schroeder, Kelli Schroeder, Blair and Brett Bennett. Born in Ft. Collins, CO to Dr. and Mrs. Willard M. Bennett. Will was commissioned as Second Lt. in the Field Artillery in 1953 from the ROTC program at Colorado State University. Retired in the grade of Colonel, his military specialty included Army Aviator, rated in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. His service assignments include Korea, Japan, Alaska and two tours in Vietnam, plus many U.S. bases including attending the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. Col. Bennett's military awards and decorations include The Silver Star, Legion of Merit (2), Distinguished Flying Cross (4), Army Commendation Medal (3), the Bronze Star, Air Medal (42). Bennett and his wife Vonnie lived is St. Petersburg and part time at Lake Lure, NC. He was a registered securities broker and enjoyed golf and travel in his free time. Funeral Services will be held Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at 10 am at St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral, 140 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, followed by a military memorial service at 12:45 at Bay Pines Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines. Visit Vetfuneralcare.com to sign the guestbook. Veterans Funeral Care 524-9202 This information was last updated 12/29/2009