Roy Thurman Patterson was born on July 18, 1923. He was the son of Grover C. Patterson and Martha Lucy Davis Patterson. He was married to Janie Mae Prather Patterson. He served in the 352nd Bomber Squadron, 301st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B-17G #42-97728 nicknamed ''None'' during World War II.

On November 15, 1944, the B-17G “None” took off for a bombing mission targeting Linz, Austria. During its return flight to Foggia, Italy, the aircraft encountered severe weather conditions and engine trouble while crossing the Alps. Around 10:42 local time, the crew issued a Mayday distress call, highlighting the worsening situation. As the bomber struggled to stay aloft, two crew members were able to bail out, while the aircraft ultimately crashed near Kleinsölk, southeast of Salzburg. Of the ten crew members, eight lost their lives, and the two survivors became prisoners of war. The wreckage remained undiscovered for decades until it was finally located in 2004.

Sgt Patterson was captured and taken as a prisoner of war. He was held at the Stalag Luft 4 in Gross-Tychow, Pomerania, Prussia. After liberation, Patterson was taken to Camp Lucky Strike in France, then shipped home to the U.S. aboard an overcrowded freighter. He died on February 24, 1997, and is now buried in the Pilgrim Rest No. 2 Cemetery, Golden, Wood County, Texas, USA.

Source of information: B17flyingfortress.de, B-17 Missing Aircraft Project – MACR Database, www.301bg.com