World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Thomas 'Ralph' R. Patterson
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Detroit, Michigan
Honored By
Albert H. Meinke, Jr.
Relationship
Brother-in-law
HE SERVED AS A BOMBARDIER IN THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 455TH BOMB SQUADRON, FLYING OUT OF ITALY. ON APRIL 2, 1944 HIS PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN AND HE WAS SEVERELY INJURED WHILE PARACHUTING TO SAFETY. HE WAS CAPTURED AND BECAME A PRISONER OF WAR IN GERMANY UNTIL LIBERATED BY THE RUSSIANS ON MAY 1, 1944.