Patton, Homer L., SSgt

Fallen
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
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Final Rank
Staff Sergeant
Last MOS
AAF MOS 611-Aerial Gunner
Last MOS Group
Air Crew (Enlisted)
Primary Unit
1943-1943, AAF MOS 611, 353rd Bombardment Squadron, Heavy
Service Years
1940 - 1943
Staff Sergeant
One Service Stripe

 Last Photo   Personal Details 



Home State
Missouri
Missouri
 
The current guardian of this Remembrance Page is MSgt Scott Rogers, Jr..

If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE

This Remembrance Profile was originally created by CMSgt Don Skinner - Deceased
 
Casualty Info
Last Address
353rd Bomb Squadron
Oudna, Tunisia

Casualty Date
Dec 08, 1943
 
Cause
MIA-Finding of Death
Reason
Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location
Greece
Conflict
World War II
Location of Interment
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery (VA) - St. Louis, Missouri
Wall/Plot Coordinates
Section 82, Site 103A

 Official Badges 




 Unofficial Badges 




 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
World War II FallenJefferson Barracks National Cemetery (VA)
  1943, World War II Fallen
  1943, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery (VA) (St. Louis, Missouri)


 Ribbon Bar


USAAF Aerial Gunner Badge


 
 Unit Assignments
United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)301st Bombardment Group, Heavy  353rd Bombardment Squadron, Heavy
  1940-1943, United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)
  1943-1943, AAF MOS 611, 301st Bombardment Group, Heavy
  1943-1943, AAF MOS 611, 301st Bombardment Group, Heavy
  1943-1943, AAF MOS 611, 301st Bombardment Group, Heavy
  1943-1943, AAF MOS 611, 353rd Bombardment Squadron, Heavy
 Combat and Non-Combat Operations
  1942-1945 World War II/European-African-Middle Eastern Theater
  1943-1943 WWII - European Theater of Operations/Tunisia Campaign (1942-43)
  1943-1943 WWII - European Theater of Operations/Air Offensive, Europe Campaign (1942-44)
  1943-1943 WWII - European Theater of Operations/Air Offensive, Europe Campaign (1942-44)/Operation Strangle
 My Aircraft/Missiles
B-17 Flying Fortress  
  1943-1943, B-17 Flying Fortress
 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:

According to his NARA enlistment papers, Homer L. Patton was born in Missouri in 1915. No census data on him or his parents has been located.

He enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on December 13, 1940 as a private in the Army Air Forces. He had completed 4 years of high school and his civilian occupation is unspecified.

His first appearance other than his enlistment is his being part of the Scott combat crew, stationed in North Africa in 1943. He flew at least 40 missions, according to Air Medal awards.

On December 8, 1943, the crew was part of a bomber formation sent to bomb the Athens/Elieus Airdrome in Greece. The target was reached, and the bomb run commenced. Observers within other aircraft of the formation stated that when Scott released his bombs, two fell in train, followed by an internal explosion. The left bomb bay door was blown off, and the right one was shattered.

The aircraft fell into an inverted position, and then exploded. Prior to this explosion, 6 parachutes were observed. Observers later stated they believed a fragmentation bomb had exploded prematurely, bringing down the aircraft.

SSgt Patton's body was evidently recovered at some point, as he and two companions are buried in a common grave in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri, at Section 82, Site 103A.

www.findagrave.com
www.301stbg.com/Missions_Macrs.cfm
www.honorstates.org/index
NARA Enlistment Records
 

   Comments/Citation:

SSgt Homer L. Patton was the assigned ball turret gunner on B-17F # 42-3137, not named, assigned to the 353rd Bomb Squadron.

Missing Air Crew Report 1483 was issued for the loss of this crew. Mission loading lists show the crew consisted of:

1Lt Jack A. Scott  p
2Lt Joe R. Rouselle  c-p
2 Lt Cyril J. Niemic  nav
2 Lt William F. O'Brien  bomb
TSgt Leslie D. Morgan  eng/tt gun
TSgt Howard C. Ross  r/o
SSgt Homer L. Patton  btg
SSgt Dennis E. French  wg
SSgt William F. Tyson  tail gun

Ranks and grades as of mission date.

The three rear gunners were KIA; the remainder of the crew were captured and became POWs.

   
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