Born: 1922
Died:
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations: Purple Heart
With Dog Company:
Gerald Patterson was a heavy machine gunner with Dog Company of the 24th Marines. He served as a squad leader with their First Machine Gun Platoon during the battle of Namur, and transferred to Able Company in the spring of 1944.
With Able Company:
PFC Patterson fought with Able Company's machine gun platoon during the battle of Saipan; he was one of the many wounded inflicted by a Japanese ambush on Hill 600. Patterson was evacuated from the battlefield on June 22, 1944; he was transferred to the Naval Hospital at Aiea Heights two weeks later.
Patterson never returned to the battalion; his subsequent service is unknown.