"Jeep" Sanza Passes

[Subdeacon Joe]

Who was he?
Only Gen. Patton's driver.

 

Quote

Francis J. “Jeep” Sanza, who had lasting fame as Gen. George Patton’s driver in World War II, died early Tuesday morning at his Napa home. He had celebrated his 99th birthday in October.

Sanza, who acquired his nickname in 1941 while in the U.S. Army. He signed his checks “Jeep Sanza.” He had a second moniker, Napa’s “milkman,” his daughter, Lavon Sanza Fagan, said Tuesday.

Sanza worked for Clover Stornetta Farms for 38 years, at first driving commercial and home delivery routes, and later as the dairy’s representative at the Napa Town & Country Fair where he would hand out free ice cream cones.

Sanza, who died at the family’s Victorian home on Third Street, gave many newspaper interviews over the years about driving a Jeep for General Patton during the closing months of World War II in France and Belgium.

Patton was one of the war’s legendary figures, inspiring fear and respect among his troops as he led the U.S. Third Army’s march across Nazi-occupied western Europe.

Even in old age, Sanza would regularly get letters from World War II buffs who wanted him to autograph photos and newspaper clippings of Patton. He was a rare living link to one of the war’s major personalities.

Sanza had a trove of Patton stories from the final months of the war. He drove a Jeep with three stars on the sides, with Patton always riding up front next to him.

The general was a paradoxical mix of orneriness and a more reflective side, Sanza told a Register reporter in 2012.

The general usually knelt in silent prayer before entering the vehicle, only to let loose with swearing during the conversations on the road, he said. When Patton was agitated, he would hit the windshield with his riding crop.

Patton, who nearly derailed his career in 1943 by twice slapping soldiers diagnosed with battle fatigue whom he accused of malingering, devoted many hours to visiting wounded American soldiers in field hospitals and handing out Purple Hearts, Sanza would recall.

 

 

[Pat Riot]

These $&@# reporters can NEVER talk about Patton without mentioning slapping that soldier.

I often wonder if slapping that soldier actually put a bit more drive in our men to win the war? (Hypothetical- no response needed)

[Brett Black]

RIP Jeep .

Thank you for your service to our Great Nation. 

[Widder, SASS #59054]

Thanks for sharing Joe.

 

I actually go to church with one of Gen. MacArthur's drivers and member of the Generals security force.

He said where ever the General traveled, he had to have a security force to ensure (and insure.. ) his safety.

 

He is still alive but not in good health.   His name is Clayton McDonald.

 

..........Widder