Born: August 10, 1921
Died: October, 1986
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations:
Alfred Patenge was born in Michigan in 1921. His father, Alfred Senior, died in the 1920s, and his mother Amanda remarried Fred Rosa. Alfred and his older sister Lena moved in with two younger Rosa siblings, and lived in Bay City. Alfred enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942, and was sent to Parris Island for boot training.
After graduating from boot camp, Patenge took extra training in communications. He was assigned to the First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) as a field lineman.
With Dog Company:
Unlike most other communications men in the battalion, Patenge had specific duties outside of the headquaters company. He was assigned to the 81mm mortar platoon - since the big mortars fired from farther behind the lines, telephone communications were required between the gunners and the forward observers. Patenge served with the platoon during the battle of Namur, then transferred to the battalion HQ company in March, 1944.
With HQ Company:
PFC Patenge was reassigned to the battalion's Communications platoon; given his previous experience, he was likely assigned to the mortar platoons when in combat. He particpated in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima, surviving each campaign unwounded.
Alfred Patenge died in Arizona in 1986.