United States Army Europe

United States Army Europe and Seventh Army of the United States Army and the land component of United States European Command. It is the largest American formation in Europe.

History

Invasion of Sicily

The Seventh Army was the first American formation of Field Army size to see combat in World War II. The Army was formed when the U.S. I Armored Corps was redesignated on 10 July 1943 to provide headquarters for American forces in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. During the campaign, it was commanded by (Then) Lieutenant General George S. Patton. Patton officially took command of the Seventh Army aboard USS Monrovia (APA-31), Admiral H. Kent Hewitt's flagship, thus became the Army's motto, "Born at sea, baptized in blood." Later was added "...crowned with glory."

It landed on the left flank of the Allied forces. Its role in the plan for conquering Sicily was envisaged as being a protecting force for the left wing of the British Eighth Army under Gen. Bernard Montgomery. Montgomery's plan was to confront the enemy: British and US forces side by side. However, Patton broke away following his own plan. In the end, it played a far more important role it's claimed: Patton wanted to liberate Palermo the...
Read More