SSG James R. Patton

18 April 2010, Iraq

Rangers

Born at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Staff Sergeant James R. Patton died in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash on 18 April 2010 in Tikrit, Iraq.

Patton enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in July 2004 and completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Following graduation from the Ranger Indoctrination Program, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia, where he served as a grenadier and team leader.

SSG Patton was serving as a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, when he was killed while supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He had four previous deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and was on his third deployment to Iraq.