Private First Class Robert Patterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Patterson of this city, is stationed somewhere in the North African battle theater with the U. S. armed forces. Private Patterson left Webster City in February, 1941, for training at Camp Claiborne, La. He was later transferred along with other Webster City men in the same contingent, overseas to North Ireland and still later to North Africa.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA, Sept. 4, 1943
ROBERT PATTERSON RECEIVED PURPLE HEART FOR WOUND
Pfc. Robert Patterson, Webster City soldier who was wounded in fighting recently at the Anzio beachhead, has received the Purple Heart and is now able to be up and around again on crutches, according to word received here.
Patterson was wounded in the left ankle in the heavy fighting on the Italian front and was hospitalized for some time.
He wrote that Jack Petrow and Don Shelton, two other Webster City men who left with the Iowa National Guard at the same time as he, are also in that sector.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - June 20, 1944
BACK AT FRONT
Pfc. Robert Patterson of this city, recently wounded in action, is back at the front lines in Italy, according to word received here by friends. A member of the Iowa National Guard unit from this city, Private Patterson went back into action Aug. 6.
Source: Webster City Freeman, Webster City, IA - Aug. 17, 1944
PFC. PATTERSON DIED SEPT. 19
W. C. Soldier Killed in Italy; Was Wounded Early in July.
Pfc. Robert R. Patterson, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Patterson, former Webster City residents now living at Des Moines, was killed in Italy Sept. 18, his parents have been notified by the war department.
Private Patterson was wounded early in July in the severe fighting in which three Iowa National Guardsmen from his unit were killed and many injured. He recovered quickly, however, and was sent back to the front Aug. 6.
During his high school career here Private Patterson was active in sports being a member of the Webster City Lynx football squad for several years.
Two brothers of Private Patterson are also in service. Ned, a seaman first class, is at Honolulu and Jack, seaman second class, is stationed in Louisiana.
Private Patterson’s death was the third reported in September among members of the Webster City Iowa National Guard unit which left for service in February, 1941. On Sept. 16, Staff Sgt. Don Shelton and Pfc. Truman Sharkey were added to the list of Gold Star soldiers from Webster City.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, October 3, 1944 (photo included)
TRIBUTE PAID TO LOCAL GRADUATE KILLED IN ACTION
A tribute was paid to Robert Patterson, a Lincoln high school graduate of the class of 1941, who was killed in northern Italy Sept. 19, 1944 at the high school chapel Monday morning.
The brief memorial given by Miss Ethel Virtue was a follow-up of the service at the Universalist church Sunday. Bob’s grandmother was a member of this church. A beautiful bouquet of chrysanthemums was sent to the high school by Bob’s family.
Bob was well known in Webster City as a good athlete. He played basketball and football and was a member of the Honor W.
Miss Virtue gave a brief history of his service record. He was ___ sufficiently to go into action again. The last letter received from Robert was Sept. 7. Word was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Patterson, of Des Moines, that Bob was killed in action Sept. 19 in northern Italy. He has two brothers in the service.
A second feature of the chapel program was a talk given by H. M. Moad, principal, which was simply “school business,” He congratulated the football team on their victory Friday, and also all those who helped to make the homecoming a success. A few announcements were made closing the program.
The chairman was Carla Jean Crippen and the scripture was read by Bill Nott. A. B. Rudd led the assembly in a few songs.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, October 25, 1944
Robert Roy Patterson was born in 1920, to Roy E. and Gertrude H. Treanor Patterson. He died Sept. 19, 1944, and is buried in the Florence American Cemetery, Via Cassia, Italy Plot: B Row: 14 Grave: 21.
Pfc. Patterson served with the 133rd Infantry, 34th Division on Saipan and Tarawa in the Pacific. He was wounded at the Anzio Beachhead. He was awarded a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Sources: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA
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World War II Memorial
World War II Honoree
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
