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<em>David Wilson ‘Dave’ Patton</em> was born in Birkenhead, England on August 11, 1933. He was the adopted son of Miss Anne W. Patton, the sister of General George S. Patton (USMA 1909). He grew up in San Marino, CA. Dave attended and graduated from Harvard School for Boys (now Harvard-Westlake) High School in 1951, where he was one of the top athletes in the state of California. He left his mark there and in the annals of the California Interscholastic Federation setting records and earning medals in several sports, some of which he continued to practice at West Point. With a long family background in the military, it was no surprise to see Dave seek and receive an appointment to the United States Military Academy. On July 3, 1951 he joined the West Point Class of 1955.</p>
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While at West Point, Dave displayed prowess on the Track Team for four years, earning a Major A and three Navy stars. Dave also had time to participate in the Ordnance, Pistol, Railroad, Portuguese, and Ski Clubs. Academics presented a challenge to Dave; however, he met and overcame all obstacles. As might be expected, he followed in his uncle’s footsteps when at graduation he selected the Infantry as his branch of choice. This led to his attendance and graduation from the Airborne and Special Forces schools and his participation in the United States Rifle team.</p>
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Dave’s active duty time included service in Korea, Germany, Guatemala (twice), Panama, and Vietnam (twice). During his service in Vietnam, Dave was cited numerous times and, among other awards, was awarded both the Bronze Medal and Silver Star. He carried well the Patton tradition of military excellence.</p>
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While living in Bakersfield, CA, David spent eight-and-a-half years in the California military forces as battalion commander, regimental commander, and brigade commander (twice). Dave was very active in Mexican Folklore dancing with the Correcaminos group at CSU-Bakersfield, where he “picked up” a master’s degree. During vacations he took time to survey and map cemeteries in Coahuila and Durango, Mexico to document Elvira’s genealogy. In El Paso, he served in the Texas State Guard as regimental commander, brigade commander, and as a colonel (promotable). He also served with the El Paso Railroad Society, Victims Services of El Paso Police Department, the American Legion, and the Benavidez-Patterson All Airborne Chapter of El Paso, as well as the Family History Center, where he researched all his family branches and added to his extensive genealogy. Here too, he decided to survey and map local cemeteries. Dave also took time with his family. A great storyteller with a great sense of humor, he regaled his children and friends with anecdotes about West Point, his Army career, his uncle George singing commercial ditties while shaving; about his mother Nita telling Uncle George that he was wearing his ivory-handled pistols too close to vital body parts; and humorous childhood stories about freezing and boiling a fish.</p>
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Dave Patton is remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, philanthropist, athlete, and a leader who cared for his troops. A life member of the Benavides-Patterson All Airborne Chapter of El Paso, he enjoyed being with his brothers-in-arms. His interests ranged from sailing, genealogy, model aviation (he built several model planes), the El Paso Railroad Society, and Mexican Folklore dancing to volunteering with Victim Services of El Paso Police Department. Proud of his Scottish heritage, he belonged to Clan Munro on his mother’s side. He was the last of the Knights of Old.</p>