Date of birth:

January 10th, 1924 (Suffolk/Virginia, United States)

Nationality:

American

William Webb Patterson was commissioned in 1943. He served in Torpedo Squadron 9 aboard U.S.S. Lexington and U.S.S. Yorktown in the western Pacific. He was involved in bombings of Tokyo, Air support to U.S. Marines at Iwo Jima in February 1945 and at Okinawa from March to June 1945. He torpedoed the Japanese cruiser Yahagi on April 7th, 1945,

William Webb Patterson was also entitled to wear the Presidential Unit Citation (twice).

He was honorably discharged from active duty on September 22nd, 1945. He attended Virginia Tech and was awarded the Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering. From 1946 until 1964 he was with the USN Reserves. He married Agnes Campbell in 1951and together raised 5 children.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Torpedo Squadron 9 (VT-9), U.S.S. Shamrock Bay (CVE-84) (Torpedo Squadron 9 (VT-9), U.S.S. Shamrock Bay (CVE-84))

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron NINE (VT-9), attached to the U.S.S. SHAMROCK BAY (CVE-84), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet off Kyushu, Japan, 7 April 1945. Flying by instruments through a heavy overcast in a daring attack against a hostile light cruiser and screening destroyer, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Patterson broke through the clouds and pressed home his attack to point-blank range in the face of intense antiaircraft fire to score a direct hit and contribute materially to the sinking of the cruiser a minute later. Subjected to intense antiaircraft fire from the cruiser and destroyer during his retirement from the strike, he brought his plane and crew through unscathed. By his superior airmanship and gallant fighting spirit, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Patterson upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Second Air Medal received in the form of a golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Third Air Medal received in the form of a second golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Fourth Air medal received in the form of a third golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the frist Air Medal.

• - Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
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