Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Patterson Brothers
An Untold Story of a Cannelburg Mother and Her
Five Sons Serving in World War II
Paul W. Patterson, June 17, 2002
My mother was born in Alfordsville, Indiana on 29 Jun 1899 to Henry and Sarah Wilson. My mother met James Martin Griffin and they were married and lived in Alfordsville, Indiana. They had a son born on 8 Jul 1911 in Alfordsville, Daviess County, Indiana. Jim's father died on or about Jul 1913 and Jim was (3) three years old when he died. My mother met Charles I. Patterson and they were married on 17 Jul 1916. My father and mother had five (5) sons and two daughters, Mildred and Agnes. They moved from Alfordsville to Cannelburg, Indiana where they lived the rest of their lives.
Then war broke out on 7 Dec 1941 and I could see on my father's and mother's faces the sadness and worry of their sons going to war. My brother Robert enlisted on 12 Nov 1940. My brother Leo was inducted 29 Mar 1941; my brother Martin was inducted 21 Aug 1942; my brother Jim was inducted 1 Jul 1941 to 14 Nov 1941, and was discharged then he was recalled back to active duty on 20 Jan 1942. Then on 24 Jan 1945, I was inducted into the service. I was placed on active duty on 24 Jan 1945.
My mother's problems all started prior to me leaving for service. My mother received a telegram that her son Martin (Coke) was wounded in action on 10 Oct 1944. I saw her face turn white and her body tremble as she read the telegram. I tried to console her but her thoughts were different as time went on she began to feel better and we had a pretty good time of doing laundry and other chores. We would sing and play the old guitar just having a good time. My mother received another telegram that my brother Leo (Pat) was wounded on 10 Jun 1945 and they did not give any report as to how bad it was, but the war department never does. My mother almost went into shock as she read the telegram. She said that she just knew that it was worse than what they were telling. My father never let on how he felt, but I could see tears coming down his cheek. I did my best to console them, but what could be said or done. As time went on they both seemed to get better adjusted. I was inducted into the active service on 24 Jan 1945. It really tore mom and dad into pieces not knowing where or if any of their sons would make it home. I told my mother when the day comes for me to leave do not worry for God would protect us from harm and when she looked at me with her big eyes full of tears she grabbed me and hugged me. I told her not to worry about us for the good Lord would look after us. There was not a human who can tell how much hurt or suffering that a person can endure in a lifetime. She had another telling blow come to her when she received another telegram from the war department telling her that her son Leo was wounded again and that he was doing fine.
I could not tell you how much suffering that she was having because I was on Luzon, Philippine Islands. My brother was taken to the General Field Hospital which was only 1000 yards from where I was. I received a letter from my mother about two weeks or so after he was released from the hospital. We both were on Luzon, but we did not know that each other was there. I knew that he was in the Philippine Islands. The war was over and all the men were coming home. I received a letter one day and she asked me when I would get to come home because all of the boys were home except me. She said that she would give anything if she could have all her children home around the table again. I gave this a lot of thought before I made the decision to re-enlist in the Army Air Force in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan. I got home after Christmas around 1 Jan 10, 1946. No one knew that I was coming home, but I suspected different. I opened the old door to the house and went in. Mom was the first to see me and she came flying from the bedroom,you know the rest.
We had one of the biggest parties in that old house, it's a wonder that it did not fall in. Mom and dad and all the family were the happiest people in the world now that mom got her wish and prayers were answered.
I had to leave for my 30 days leave was up and mom took it very hard. I told her that I was being stationed at Chanute Field in Rentoul, Illinois. I could get to come home on passes and so I could see her more often. Well she took very sick in Jun 1947. She had a heart attack from which she almost died. Mom got somewhat better but she could hardly walk or do anything. I got a week's leave to come home. She got better and I reported back to Chanute. I later received a telephone call from home that my uncle had died; he was my mother's brother. Dad did not know what to do about telling mom for fear it might cause herto have another heart attack. He waited till after he told the doctor what had happened and the doctor told him to tell her. He told her the next day that her brother had died. I had come home for my uncle's funeral.
When I left the funeral house I saw my sister and Everett coming down the highway from mom and dads and he was partly carrying her. I ran to see what was wrong and Ed told me that mom had just died. Date of death, 8 Jul 1947. I am not writing this documentary about my mother and father to get fame or anything else, but to honor them as a son. I know that there were a lot of sons, fathers and daughters that did not come home. These I pledge my heart and prayers to them in this documentary. I wanted to say in this documentary how a mother feels when she has a burden to bear. She died at the age of 58 years old.
It is not the intent of this documentary to discredit or downgrade the ceremony that was bestowed upon the Smith brothers at a ceremony in front of Court House. The achievement awards that were presented to them were greatly earned due to their services to the United States in time of war.
I personally thank the mayor for verbally recognizing the Patterson family of five brothers who served during World War II and tell their untold story.
Griffin, James H. (35-163-287) Tech Sgt (Air Force -ERC) was born to Mr. and Mrs. James M. Griffin in Alfordsville, Daviess County, Indiana on 2 Jan 1911. Upon the death of his father, date unknown, Jim's mother Anne S. (Wilson) Griffin, met Charles I. Patterson and they were married. Later then, he was Jim's step-father. Jim was inducted into the Air Force on 1 Jul 1941 and placed into 87th Bombardment Squadron. He was later separated from active military service on 14 Nov 1944 and placed in enlisted reserve corps at Bowman Field, Louisville, Kentucky. The reason for separation was his age, because they were not calling up individuals that age. He was recalled to active duty on 20th Jan 1942, he was assigned to 93rd FTR Control Squadron at Fort Benjamin, Harrison, Indiana. He departed the USA 27 Feb 1944, his destination was EAMETO, and he arrived 7 Mar 1944. Jim was assigned as a Terret Gunner, Nose Gunner and Belly Gunner. He thought one day this is a fast way to get killed real fast, for these M.G. Gunners are the first to get killed. He asked for a different job and went to be qualified for a different MOS in which he became a Crew Chief No: 750. Jim's task was in the battles and campaigns of Air Offensive of Europe. His flights were over Normandy, N. France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Jim was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and EAMETO.
Jim was a real brother to all the family because he was very young when mom and dad were married. He was about (5) five or six (6) years old and we all grew up together. Some of the younger kids did not know that he wasn't our brother until later on. As far as we are concerned, Jim was one of our true brothers for always. He lived as one of us and he died as one of us. Jim was honorable discharged on 8 Oct 1945 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.
Patterson, Leo J. (35 155 657) TEC 3 MED. AUS was born 27 Aug 1917 in Alfordsville, Indiana to Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Patterson of Cannelburg, Indiana (Daviess County). He was inducted and entered into the active service on 24 Mar 1941 at Fort Benjamin, Harrison, Indiana. He was assigned to MED DET 151st Infantry. As surgical Tech #861 and he was issued his medical badge upon completion of his medical training. He departed from USA 31 Dec 1943, his destination AP and his arrival 20 Jan 1944. His battles and campaigns were in New Guinea, South Philippines (Liberation) Luzon. Sgt Patterson received several decorations and citations while performing his duties in the field during combat. He was awarded the following American Defense Service Medal,Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/3 bronze stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon,Purple Heart w/oak leaf cluster, and Bronze Star w/1 oak leaf cluster.
Sgt Patterson was wounded twice while giving aid to wounded soldiers. He had several brushes with death while performing his duties to wounded comrades. Sgt Patterson was helping with evacuations of wounded soldiers over rugged mountain trails during battle for Zigzag Pass, the terrain was so steep that they had to use vines and roots to pull themselves up with the wounded on litter carriers. They were under constant fires from machine guns, mortars, artillery, and also fires from snipers.
Sgt Patterson was wounded while evacuating wounded casualties back to aid stations. He was giving first aid to a wounded soldier but he could not get his medical bag open to get a bandage for it so he stood up to get one out and he was shot in his thigh. It was his belief that the sniper was aiming at his helmet just before he stood up. During another battle he was giving first aid to wounded soldiers during very hard fighting under machine guns, and sniper fires. He displayed great courage in giving first aid and supervising and evacuation of casualties. The unit was given orders to withdraw and reorganize and evacuate all wounded soldiers out. Sgt Patterson was painfully wounded in his leg by machine gun or sniper fire. He volunteered to remain and continued to direct medical aid that was being given to wounded men. He stayed until all the wounded were given first aid and evacuated. He was not only wounded by gun fires but received several pieces of shrapnel in his body from a grenade thrown by the enemy.
"Some pieces are still in his body today." Sgt Patterson was serving with the 38th Infantry Division on Luzon. He was discharged from the service on 23 Nov 1945 w/honorable discharge. Sgt Patterson did not feel that he did anything great, but was just doing his duty. On 7 Oct 1948, he enlisted in ERC; he entered on active duty 17 Oct 1948, at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. He was assigned to 2286 ASU, Escort Detachment.
He was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington and assigned to Sixth Army Escort Detachment, Oakland Airbase, and California for duty returning military personnel all over the USA. The Escort duty was assigned upon their character, personality, military bearing, and ability to represent the U.S. Government in this important duty assignment. S/Sgt Patterson said that it was very heart warming and sad at times. He said that some of his escorts were very sad because the family was very heart broken and hung onto his arms so they would not fall. He said it hurt him so much at times he could hardly keep from crying himself. He had to remember to perform his duty without breaking the rules he had to follow. There were many more escorts to perform, but he said that he was glad when it was all over.
Patterson, Robert L. (15 047 232) TEC-4, R-Army was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Patterson of Cannelburg, Indiana. He grew up in Cannelburg and he worked at farming with his dad. The war in Europe was getting worse so he decided to enlist. There were several buddies wanting to enlist in the service, so they all went together. He enlisted 12 Nov 1940 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was assigned to HQ DET WEPC Jefferson Barracks, Missouri as a cook-060. He departed the USA on 22 Feb 1944, his destination was ETO and date of arrival was 10 Mar 1944. He was engaged in battles and campaigns in Rome-ARNO, Central Europe and Rhineland Campaigns. He was awarded 3 bronze stars for campaigns in above battles and campaigns per GO 33d40 1945. He departed ETO 5 Aug 1945, arrived in the USA 18 Aug 1945. He was discharged from the service on 18 Oct 1945. He received the Good Conduct Medal and Honorable Discharge from the service. He was entitled to wear European- African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, American Defense Service Ribbon, and 2 overseas bars. My brother was not one for talking or telling any experiences that he had during the war. He did not want to brag or make anyone believe that he was a hero. He did what he did for his country and state and his mother and dad. He died 30 Oct 1995.
Patterson, Martin J. (35-490-648) PFC E-1 (C) AU5. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Patterson of Cannelburg, Indiana on 8 Dec 1921. He was born in the town of Alfordsville, Indiana, moved to Cannelburg, Indiana. He worked different jobs such as farming or working for other farmers. He was in the CCC Camp of Washington for 3 or 4 years. He was inducted into the Army 21 Aug 1942; he entered active service on 4 Sep 1942. He entered the service at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The place of basic training Unk Military OC specialty; Utility Repairman MAS 121 (Battles and Campaigns) Normandy-Northern France-Ardennefs, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Decorations-Citations: American Theater Ribbon, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and NFARE Theater Ribbons w/5 bronze stars. He was wounded in Germany 10 Oct 1944. He departed the USA on 5 Apr 1944. His destination was ETO, arrived 19 Apr 1944, departed ETO on or about 10 Nov 1945 and arrived in the USA 25 Nov 1945. He was honorable discharged on 30 Nov 1945.
My brother was not too much for talking about his experiences during war, but he did tell me about one episode that happened to him while taking two German soldiers prisoners across the Rhine River. He knew enough German language that they were going to jump him when he reached the middle of the river. They were going to turn the boat over and drown him. There was the only way to get them across because there was no bridge. They had a rope across from one side to the other and you pulled the boat across that way. When they reached the middle of the river they both jumped him, one in the front and back. He knew that it was him or them. He knocked the one in front out of the boat into the river. The last he saw him he was going down the river and the other put a choke hold on him. They started to fight and the boat turned over and the German still had a choke hold on him trying to drown my brother. He knew he would drown if he didn't get the choke hold broken. Somehow he got loose and came up behind him and gave himself a big kick with both feet so he could get up higher behind him. He did come up higher and hit him in the skull with his fist and cracked it wide open.
The last time he saw him he was floating down the river. He told me about another incident which I will not tell. We both were out having a good time and he would only talk then. As my brother said that he was no hero, but he did his duty as he was told so that all America can be free. He died 18 Sep 1993.
Patterson, Paul W, (35-967-765) Pvt E1 (RA) was born to Mr. & Mrs. Charles I. Patterson in Cannelburg, Indiana. He was inducted into the service on 24 Jan 1945 and then sent to Camp Atterbury in for processing. We were issued our clothing and equipment and we received our shots and filled out all of our records. We received our orders to report to Fort McClellan, Alabama to complete our basic training. We were sent to Camp Maxie, Texas for more training in the kind of terrain that we would be in. We departed the USA on 8 Jul 1945 for Asiatic Pacific Theater. Our destination was Luzon in the Philippine Islands. We arrived on 30 Jul 1945 and we were loaded onto a train and sent to the Fourth Repot Depot. Upon arrival we were loaded and assigned to areas. We were told not to go wondering out and around for it were an estimated that several hundred Japanese were up in the mountains.
Several Japanese were killed at night by guards. We did a lot of hard work so as to keep us in good condition. One day there was a call on the loud speaker for all personnel to report to the assembly area for some important message. We were told that we will receive new M1 Rifles and new equipment for the invasion of Japan. We had two days to get ready and then we would be transported by ship to Okinawa.There we would be assigned to the 182nd Air Born for the invasion of Japan.
We were told that we would be on the first wave attack. We were really a bunch of afraid men that night, but there were not a lot of things to be done; a lot of praying was done. The day that we were to ship out came and the loud speaker came on and said, "Attention all personnel, we have just received word that the president had dropped two atomic bombs on Japan." The war is over, Japan has surrendered, and all present orders are superceded That was the happiest moment in our lives. It was estimated that we would lose at least one million men. Several weeks later we received orders to prepare to go to Japan for occupation duty. We landed several weeks later in Otaru, Japan. Our group of men landed in Otaru. First, as we started going into the town there wasn't a human or dog or nothing. It was just like being in a place without life. In about one hour or so a captain of police came up to us and started to talk to us. He spoke good English and I asked him where all the people were at. He said that we were told to hide because the Americans would shoot them down. We told him that was not true the war is over so let's make the best of it. In about an hour or so they started to come around us. In a few hours or so the town light came on and business opened just like nothing happened.
Later we were placed into companies and sent to an old school which looked like Fort Sackville. Our job was to process veterans with enough points to go home. When this was completed we broke up and most of us went to 612 Port Co TC where we loaded and unloaded ships. We later used Japanese labor to load and unload cargo. It was a pretty good outfit to work with because most of the unit was made up of guys that have known each other for a good while. I thought for a long time about staying in the service and going into the Army Air Force. On the 24th of Nov 1945, I enlisted for three years in the Army Air Force. I was sent on a thirty day leave. When my thirty days was up I reported to Chanute Field for duty. I was assigned to 3350th TNG AMC, 2345th Tech Tng TG Squadron. I was supposed to go to Europe, but I never left Chanute and I finished the rest of my enlistment at Chanute Field, Illinois. I was in the Army Air Force, but in 1947, the Air Force got their own branch of the service in which I was transferred to it. I was honorable discharged on 24 Nov 1948.
I later joined the Indiana National Guard on 19 Dec 1949 as a Sgt E-5. I held all the ranks of S/SGT, SFC-E-7, M/SGT, and 1st SGT. I attended the advanced NCO Academy in Fort Benning, Georgia from Apr through Sep 1954. I have attended several other schools to improve my education, if and when something came along that requires this much experience. On or about Apr 1962, the unit full time supply admin job came open and I applied for it. I was given the job after several job interviews and other requirements were completed. On this job you worked full time for 8 hours or more if needed. This was one of the most interesting jobs that I have ever done. In 1979, we were given Civil Service status, but we still worked for the military department of Indiana. I could write a full book on my experiences, but not at this time. I stayed on this job until I retired from the service the 26th of Oct 1986. I retired from the military and Civil Service upon completing almost 42 years of service. I have received many awards for my conduct and job evaluations while I was there as a supply sergeant. List of the Army-Air Force Medals and N.B. Awards I have received: Good Conduct Metal (Army-Air Force), American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Philippine (Liberation Ribbon), Asiatic Pacific, Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/2 hour glasses, Army Reserve Comp Achievement Medal w/oak leaf clusters, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (over 500 hours sub-course), Indiana Distinguished Service Medal, Indiana Commendation Medal, Indiana Long Service Medal (35 years), Indiana Oconus Ribbon and Indiana Emergency Ribbon w/3 oak leaf clusters.