World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Eugene Corbett 'Gene' Patterson
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Valdosta, Georgia
Honored By
Charles H. Atkinson
He graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Georgia in 1943. After graduation, he served as a tank commander in the United States Army with General George Patton's 10th Armored Division, 90th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, First Platoon, C Troop during WII and won a Silver Star for gallantry in action at the Battle of the Bulge and a Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster for heroic achievement. The 10th Armored held off the German Army onslaught for eight hours awaiting the arrival of the 101st Airborne Division to fully stop the offensive. He served as an Army pilot after the war until he left the military to pursue journalism in 1947.