Colonel Richard O. "Pat" Patten served on active duty for over 30 years in the Navy, Army and Air Force. He received his bombardier's wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force at Roswell AFB, New Mexico, in April 1942. He flew 50 missions from Foggia, Italy as a B-17 bombardier in the 353rd Bomb Squadron 301st Bomb Group, Fifteenth Air Force. Colonel Patten was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in action on 10 June 1944 during a mission in which his aircraft was damaged and Colonel Patten was severely wounded. On 23 April 1996, he was belatedly awarded a Purple H
Colonel Richard O. "Pat" Patten served on active duty for over 30 years in the Navy, Army and Air Force. He received his bombardier's wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force at Roswell AFB, New Mexico, in April 1942. He flew 50 missions from Foggia, Italy as a B-17 bombardier in the 353rd Bomb Squadron 301st Bomb Group, Fifteenth Air Force. Colonel Patten was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in action on 10 June 1944 during a mission in which his aircraft was damaged and Colonel Patten was severely wounded. On 23 April 1996, he was belatedly awarded a Purple Heart in recognition of wounds received on that mission. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Photo credit: © NB/ROD / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: df-sc-98-06170
