Vincent O. Patton Collection

Vincent Orville "Pat" Patton (1923-2016) was a Technical Sergeant with the 9th Troop Carrier Squadron who worked as an Aerial Engineer in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Prior to his service in the Pacific, Patton attended and completed courses to become an aircraft mechanic at Gulfport Field in Gulfport, Mississippi, in 1943, before completing a specialized Douglas aircraft training school in Long Beach, California.

Serving a total of twenty-three months in the Pacific, Patton first arrived in February 1944 and spent time on Apamama Island in the Gilberts before moving on to Saipan, Guam, and Papua New Guinea. While deployed, Patton worked as an Aerial Engineer on a Douglas C-47 Skytrain and was tasked with assisting the aircraft commander, performing in-flight repairs, and keeping records of engine malfunctions.

As an Aerial Engineer, Patton participated in the invasion of the Marshall Islands during the Eastern Mandates Campaign, as well as the Western Pacific Campaign, and saw ground combat on Iwo Jima. For his service, Patton was awarded the Good Conduct medal.