World War II Honoree

Williford P. Patterson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Memphis, Tennessee

Honored By

Nelton

Relationship

Brother

SERVING ABOARD THE DESTROYER USS MONAGHAN WHEN PEARL HARBOR WAS ATTACKED. SUFFERED A WOUND DURING BOMBING. SHIP PARTICIPATED IN BATTLE OF BALIKPAPAN, BATTLE OF JAVA SEA, BATTLE OF SUNDI STRAITS, CORAL SEA AND MIDWAY. TRANSFERRED TO DESTROYER, USS CLEVELAND AND ASSIGNED DUTY AS CHIEF COMMISSARY STEWART. SHIP PARTICIPATED IN INVASION OF NORTH AFRICA AND OCCUPATION OF CASABLANCA. SHIP WAS SENT TO SOUTH PACIFIC WHERE IT PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION AND/OR BOMBARDMENT OF RENELL ISLAND, KOLAMBANGARA, NEW GUINEA KULA BAY, KOROVA, SHETLAND ISLAND, MUNDI POINT AREA, NEW GEORGIA ISLAND, TREASURY ISLANDS, NORTHERN SOLOMON ISLANDS, BOUGAINVILLE, GREEN ISLAND, CAROLINE ISLAND, EMIRAU ISLAND, BISMARCK-ARCHIPELAGO, MARIANA ISLANDS, SAIPAN, GUAM, TINIAN, PALAU, CORREGIDOR, PANAY, MINDANAS, BALIKPAPAN AND OKINAWA. SUPPORTED THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN BY COVERING THE EVACUATION OF ALLIED TROOPS FROM WAKAYAMA. SHIP RECEIVED 13 BATTLE STARS.