Gerald E Patterson ENCS (SW)USN RET.

I enlisted in the Navy, April 1959 in Lander, Wyo and Sworn in at the OLD Customs House, Denver, Colorado 14April 1959.

I started my Navy Career 15 April 1959 at NTC SanDiego, CO 178,my first ship and start of Sea Duty in order, USS Yorktown CVS-10 (59/61),USS Wandank ATA-204(61/62),LCU DIV13/ACDIV13/ACU ONE(62-68)N & MCRTC Eugene,OR (69-72)USS Morton DD948(72/74),USS Sperry AS12(74/77)USS Barbour County LST1195(77/79) Retired 23 July1979,

I had three tours in country VN, TAD to Northern I Corp, NSA Danang, Tan Mai, Hue, Cua Viet, DongHa, Chulai, and South to DAK To Area.64/65 onboard LCU1476 made Feb,65 Landings RED Beach,3rd Marine Division,66 Delivered LCU 1165/YFU65 to Danang NSA, Picked up LCU1617 in Subic Bay, returned to Danang NSA Literage,67/68 Returned to NSA Danang on board LCU1624,to stepped up enemy action I CORP, Hue and DongHa.31Jan-2 Mar68 TET Offensive, LCU1624 and Crew reassigned to First Marine Div after being damaged and were assigned to hold Hue Literage Ramp for the duration.

Rescue Units consisting of PBRs,LCM8 and Army LCUs in convoy, escorted LCU 1624 down river to Tan Mai where divers cleared Port shaft and screw of cable and debris, Starbord screw damaged and inoperable.

13 March returned to CONUS.

Oct 1972 returned to VN on board USS Morton DD948 for GunLine Duty as needed, participated in Operation Line Backer Dec 72 Haiphong South to DMZ, Again in 1973/74 GunLine duty.

December 1968,I recieved orders to Instructor Duty N&MCRTC Eugene,Ore,where I also was assigned CACO and Funeral Duty,January 1969,Honor Guard for burial of FN Duane Hodges USS Pueblo,in Creswell,Oregon,Then in 1970 Accompanied CDR RJ McGwire ON A CACO to the home of PBR Crewman Jerry Valantine,Springfield,Ore.

Upon retiring from the Navy, I was employed by Port of Seattle,SeaTac,Airport as a Construction Inspector, Maintenance Dept for 27 years. I retired in Feb 2006. 

I am Honored to be accepted as a Life member of Gamewardens Northwest.