Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Porter
Patterson
December 12, 1891

–

January 22, 1952

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

In 1940 Patterson was appointed Assistant Secretary of War and then became the first U.S. Under Secretary of War. President Truman offered Patterson a seat on the United States Supreme Court, an honor Patterson voluntary surrendered when the president decided he was indispensable at the War Department. As Secretary of War in 1945 to 1947, Patterson presided over the demobilization of the great wartime forces and the dismantling of war industries.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    306th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 26, 1918

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Infantry) Robert Porter Patterson, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on 26 September 1918, in France.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Civilian

    Rank:

    Civilian

    Action Date:

    December 19, 1940 – September 18, 1945
    War Department, General Orders No. 82 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Civilian Robert Porter Patterson, a United States Civilian, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Under Secretary of War from 19 December 1940 to 18 September 1945.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    306th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    August 14, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 35 (1920)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Robert Porter Patterson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bazoches, France, 14 August 1918. Captain Patterson, accompanied by two noncommissioned officers, made a daring daylight reconnaissance into the enemy lines. He surprised an enemy outpost of superior numbers and personally destroyed the outpost. Later he again had an encounter with another outpost, during which several of the enemy were killed or wounded and one member of his patrol wounded. The enemy advanced their outposts, and Captain Patterson covered the retreat of his patrol, during which he dropped into a depression and feigned being killed in order to escape capture. Here he lay until he was able to escape to his lines under cover of darkness.