Ward Karl Patton

Commissaryman 1st Class
YRBM-18, NAVSUPACT SAIGON, USNAVFORV
United States Navy
18 January 1934 - 27 July 1968
Fontana, Kansas
Panel 50W Line 020

USNAVFORV

NAVSUPACT SAIGON
USN Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Ward Karl Patton

REMEMBERED ACROSS THE YEARS

by his son
Karlton S. Patton
karltonpat@yahoo.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall

YRBM-18
YRBM-18

The Navy's YRBMs provided floating barracks and support bases for the riverine forces, bases which could be relocated at will. On 27 July 1968 YRBM-18 was anchored in the upper My Tho River near the Cho Lach District Town, South Vietnam.

At about 10:30 PM Petty Officer First Class Ward K. Patton and another crewman were returning to YRBM-18 from another craft; the second crewcrewman was lighting the way with a flashlight when Petty Officer Patton missed his footing and fell into the swiftly moving current.

The second crewman crew member went to the spot where Patton had disappeared but found nothing. He then notified the ship and an alarm sounded immediately. All forces in the area were alerted to assist in the extensive search conducted along the My Tho and Ham Luong Rivers as well as along the river banks. Petty Officer Patton was not found.

As of 27 Jan 2005 Petty Officer Patton's remains have not been repatriated.

From the
POW Network





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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009