Editor says, The slapping incident occurred on August 3, 1943 nearly ending Patton's career. The matter became known after newspaper columnist Drew Pearson revealed it on his November 21 radio program, reporting that General Patton had been 'severely reprimanded' as a result. Allied Headquarters denied that Patton had been reprimanded, but confirmed that Patton had slapped a soldier. According to witnesses, General Patton was visiting patients at a military hospital in Sicily, and came upon a 24-year old soldier who was weeping. Patton asked What's the matter with you? and the soldier replied, It's my nerves, I guess. I cant stand shelling. Patton thereupon burst into a rage and employing much profanity, he called the soldier a coward and ordered him back to the front. As a crowd gathered, including the hospital's commanding officer, the doctor who had admitted the soldier, and a nurse, Patton then struck the youth in the rear of the head with the back of his hand. Reportedly, the nurse made a dive toward Patton, but was pulled back by a doctor and the commander intervened. Patton went to other patients, then returned and berated the soldier again