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Events on Wednesday 20 December 1944 2
1944Dwight D. Eisenhower promoted to General of the ArmyHe receives the new five-star rank.
1944Siege of BastogneEncircled US troops hold a vital crossroadsThe US 101st Airborne Division and other units were surrounded in the Belgian town of Bastogne during the Ardennes offensive. When asked to surrender, General Anthony McAuliffe replied "Nuts!". Patton's Third Army broke through the encirclement on 26 December.