Francis Henry Patrick – Colonel, United States Army

From a contemporary press report.

Died on October 17, 1997, at the home of his daughter in Alexandria, Virginia.

Colonel Patrick, best known to his friends as ”Pat”, was born in Brownsville, PA. He was graduated from Brownsville High School in 1932, and was a star member of the 1931-1932 State Champion basketball team. He went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh on a basketball scholarship, but left early to accept an appointment at the United States Military Academy. He was graduated from West Point in 1938.

His military schools included Command and General Staff College in 1947, the Armed Forces Staff College in 1950, and the Army War College in 1962. He also received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in 1954.

During World War II, he served as the Battalion Commander of the 89th FA Battalion of the 75th Infantry Division and participated in the Battle of the Bulge.

Pat was stationed at various posts in the U.S. and in Germany where he served as the 11th Airborne Division Artillery Commander. His last assignment was in the Office of the Comptroller General of the Army in the Pentagon before retiring in August of 1966. Among his many career decorations are the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal, the French Croix de Guerre and the Parachutist Badge.

After retirement, Pat was a teacher and administrator at Southeastern University’s Alexandria campus; he also served as the Business Manager for the Consortium of Universities in Washington, DC.

A long-time resident of Alexandria, Pat retired to Cape Canaveral, Florida in 1982. He was an active member and volunteer of Our Savior’s Catholic Church in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

His wife, Marie Dolores Patrick, preceded him in death in 1973. Pat leaves behind seven children, Francis ”Pat”, Jr. of Washington, DC, Marsha Patrick Tyler of Kaneohe, HI, Frederic R. of Williamsburg, VA, Bruce E. of Modesto, CA, Marie Patrick Kelly of Alexandria, VA, Bryan I. of Annandale, VA and Fulton J. of Charlottesville, VA. ”Pop-Pop” also leaves behind six grandchildren.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, October 28, 1997 at the Post Chapel at Fort Myer. Burial will follow with full military honors in the Arlington National Cemetery.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard