Patterson Millard J.

Name:

Millard J. Patterson

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

13167650

Unit:

708th Bomber Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-01-05

State:

Pennsylvania

Cemetery:

Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, France

Plot:

C

Row:

3

Grave:

8

Decoration:

Purple Heart

Comments:

Millard J. Patterson was born on May 23, 1924, in Munhall, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Patterson.

Millard served in the 708th Bomber Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Radio Operator/Gunner on the B-17 #42-37872 during World War II.

On January 5, 1944, his crew took off from Station 126 airfield in Rattlesden, England, at 02:00H for a mission to bomb the Bordeaux-Merignac aerodrome. Hit by flak or an enemy aircraft, their plane crashed in the Arcachon Bay at the Port of Mole in Gujan-Mestras, France. The aircraft was partially evacuated by three members of the crew, who then survived. Those who were unable to leave the plane were killed in this incident, including SSgt Patterson.

SSgt Patterson is now buried in the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, francecrashes39-45.net