Army Spc. Adam J Patton

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. Adam J Patton, 21, of Port Orchard, Wash.

Spc Patton was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died May 26, 2011 of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Also killed were 1st Lt. John M. Runkle, Staff Sgt. Edward D. Mills Jr., Staff Sgt. Ergin V. Osman, Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall and Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Velazquez.

A distant relative of famed Gen. George S. Patton, Spc Patton wanted to be in the Army and get a chance not only to live up to his family name, but also make a difference in the world.

He loved sports and could often be seen playing soccer or on a bike of some kind. In junior high, he broke both his arms dirt biking but the injury did not deter him from the sport he loved for long.

Spc Patton graduated from South Kitsap High School in 2008. He joined the Army in June 2008 and arrived at Ft Campbell in October that year.

Friend, Matthew Peterson, said, "He had a passion and that was to get the chance to serve the United States."

Spc Patton's friends say that even when he was overseas and in combat, he took great care to keep in touch. When he came home, he tried to see as many people as he could to catch up.

He had a way of making people feel like his best friend," said Melanie Anderson, who got to know SPC Patton through the school's Navy Junior ROTC program.

Friends and family talk of a certain smirk, sometimes followed by a thumbs-up sign. Whenever he did that, "You knew he did something, you just didn't know what," his mother, Sandy, said.

According to his mother, as his plattoon's helicopter was landing, an IED went off, killing some soldiers instantly, but her son died en route to the hospital.

SPC Patton was due to come home for good next month. He wanted to go to college and train to become an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"It's the land of the free because of my son," his mother said. "Because all of the fallen soldiers and the men and women who serve our country."

Spc Patton will be buried in Port Orchard. "This is home," his mother said. "This is where we'll bring Adam."

Spc Patton's awards and decorations include:

Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Spc Patton is survived by his mother, Sandy, and stepfather Greg; brother, Tim; two sisters, Emily and Makenna. He is preceded in death by his father, David, who died when Adam was 7.

Army Spc. Adam J Patton was killed in action on 5/26/11.