Medron R. "Pat" Patterson

CAMBRIDGE - Medron R. "Pat" Patterson, 86, died at his home on Monday night, Nov. 19, 2007.

Born on March 20, 1921 at Lynchburg, Va., he moved with his family at an early age to Roanoke, Va. He was a graduate of Jefferson High School, Class of 1938. That same year he joined "D" company, 116 Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division of the Virginia National Guard attaining the rank of Sergeant. His unit was federalized in February of 1941 and he remained with the 29th Division through World War II having been stationed in England for two years. He participated in the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944 with this same unit in Normandy, France and saw continued action throughout the European campaign culminating with the capture of Berlin, Germany. While in the service he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, American Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expert and Combat Infantryman Badges, Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Arrowhead with Five Battle Stars, French Coix de Guerre and the Dutch Medal, and the French Certificate of Merit.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, he settled in Cambridge in 1946 and became an employee of the C&P Telephone Company of Maryland from which he retired in 1977. He also rejoined the 29th Infantry Division of the MD National Guard and served until his retirement at age 60 as a Sergeant First Class.

Fraternally, Mr. Patterson held membership in Cambridge Masonic Lodge #66, A.F. & A.M., Boumi Temple, Rescue Fire Company of Cambridge; Life member of the Dorchester Post 91 American Legion; Life member of the Disabled American Veterans Post 31; Life member of Choptank Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7460; 29th Division Association Post 8; Normandy Memorial Museum, Normandy, France; Telephone Pioneers of America Chapter 44; Charter Member of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va.; Charter member of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, La.; and a lifetime charter member of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.; a member of the Cambridge Country Club now known as The Clearwater View at Horn Point; and former member of the Cambridge Yacht Club.

He was a communicant of Christ Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy P. Patterson of Cambridge; a niece, Brintha Gibson of Roanoke, Va.; a nephew, Robert Clarke of Richmond, Va.; a niece, Ruth Ann Hennessey of St. Louis, Mo.; and two very special friends, JoAnn Harrington, and Billie Norton of Cambridge.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Medon R. and Ruth Patterson; a sister, Mary P. Staton and a brother, Acree R. Patterson.

A memorial service will be held at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, P.A. at 1 p.m. on Friday. Officiating at the service will be The Rev. Michael D. Reddig, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Cambridge. Mr. Patterson chose to donate his body to the Maryland State Anatomy Board for Medical Research.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that expressions of sympathy be made in Mr. Patterson's memory to the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Fund, DAV National Headquarters P.O. Box 145550 Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-5550; or the National Headquarters Army Emergency Relief, Department of the Army 200 Stoval Street., Alexandria, VA. 23332-0600.

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