A Note from Taigh

I am very sad to report that our long time friend and WWII veteran, Pat Patteson, has passed away at the age of 102.

Pat was a wonderful man. Kind to a fault. He and his son Lea flew with us to many air shows and events. And when I say he flew, he actually flew the museum's PV-2D Harpoon just like he did in WWII. His very last landing in the PV-2 here at Stockton was a total greaser! So impressed that a 102 year old guy can still make awesome landings in a 33,000 pound WWII Navy Patrol Bomber. Go Pat!

Pat flew three tours and 24 missions out of the Aleutians in PV-1's and PV-2's against the Japanese. He was with VPB-135 from 1943 until the end of the war. We will miss you a lot Pat. Thank you for flying with us and sharing your life. You are, and will always be, a true hero.

Blue sky's Pat.

His Service and Military Experience

Prior to WWII - 1939: Basic flight training at Abilene Christian College and Advanced training at Hardinn Simmons University, Abilene TX.

December, 1941: Volunteered for Naval Aviation Cadet Program.

January 2nd, 1942: Ordered to Elimination Base for flight training at Lou Foote Field, Dallas TX, as Seamen 2nd Class. ($42 a month)

March 15th, 1942: Ordered to US Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi TX, for Cadet training. ($75 a month)

October 2nd, 1942: Completed flight training in the PBY Catalina with the "Wings of Gold" rank of Ensign, USNR.

November 2nd, 1942: Ordered to USNAS San Diego by train from Abilene TX.

November, 1942: Ordered to Seattle NAS for operational training, then to Whidbey Island NAS, Ault Field, WA.

February 15th, 1943: Assigned to VB-135 as Co-Pilot/Navigator in Squadron of Lockheed PV-1 Venturas. Flew patrol activities and cover during Battle of Attu.

August, 1943: Six "experienced" co-pilots ordered to return to Whidbey Island NAS to reform new Squadron of Venturas comprised of 18 crews. After waiting for the new aircraft and training at Ault Field WA, we returned to the Aleutians new advanced base on Attu, AK. My crew was Number 18.

May 12th, 1944: My first bombing/reconnaissance mission to Japanese Islands. By July 23rd, 1944, I had 24 missions, and recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Air Medals. I was promoted from Lieutenant (j.g) to full Lieutenant, USNR. Seven of the original eighteen crews returned to Ault Field to form another VBP-135.

August 8th, 1945: Landed onn Attu to resume patroll/bombing missions in the new Lockheed PV-2 Harpoons. New crew, new planes, nnew electronic navigation gear. Recorded only one mission - then WWII ended with the A-Bomb. God bless nuclear physics.

October 8th, 1945: Orders for detachment to inactive reserve status.

Please click here for a interview of Pat, which is absolutely free and worth the watch.