World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
John T. 'Red' Patterson
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Industry, Pennsylvania
Honored By
His Family & Friends
NAVY SEABEES, COMBAT ENGINEER. WHEN STATIONED ON THE SMALL ISLAND OF SAIPAN, HE HELPED TO REBUILD RUNWAYS THAT BOMBS HAD DESTROYED IN ORDER FOR FUTURE PLANES TO LAND. ON ONE SUCH OCCASION, A SOLDIER THAT WAS DRIVING A BULLDOZER GOT SHOT AND KILLED, RESULTING IN THE MACHINE BECOMING OUT OF CONTROL. THE CLEATS OF THE TIRE STRUCK HIS ANKLE. STILL IN PAIN, HE JUMPED INTO THE CAB AND PREVENTED MORE CASUALTIES. HE WOULD GO THROUGH MANY OPERATIONS AFTERWARD INCLUDING A FUSION. HE EARNED THE POINTS TO BE DISCHARGED SOON AFTER. HE WAS ON THE FIRST SHIP HOME. SERVED FROM MARCH OF 1945 TO JUNE OF 1946. HE WAS ALSO STATIONED ON THE SHIP USS PENNSYLVANIA. RECEIVED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON, AMERICAN THEATER MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.