World War II Honoree

Howard Lewis 'Pat' Patton

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Howard L. Patton

AFTER ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOR 4 YEARS, RECEIVED AN ROTC COMMISSION AND ENTERED ACTIVE DUTY ON 3 JUNE 1942. TRAINED IN THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF 40MM ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 24 NOVEMBER 1943 BOUND FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED AS A UNIT COMMANDER (1174) SUPERVISING THE EMPLACEMENT AND USE OF WEAPONS IN COMBAT WITH THE 202ND ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS BATTALION THROUGH THE NEW GUINEA AND PHILIPPINE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE SOLDIER’S MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY SEPARATED FROM FEDERAL SERVICE WITH THE COAST ARTILLERY CORPS AS A FIRST LIEUTENANT ON 1 APRIL 1946 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.