CANTON, OH, US
U.S. Marine Corps
SGT,8TH ENGR SPT BN (2D MLG FWD), 2D MLG, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
08/06/2011, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Sergeant Patron’s parents described their son as “selfless, brave and gutsy.”
“Funny, handsome, very, very well liked,” added his mother Kathy Patron. “He was a fine man. He had a beautiful smile. … Everyone who knew him liked him. He was just such a nice kid. He was a good kid, a good man. He is my hero.”
Sergeant Patron is the son of Kathy and Frank Patron and brother of Matthew. He is married to Cody Drace Patron. Daniel graduated from Perry High School in 2003. Growing up Sergeant Patron played football, was in the marching band, theater group, select choir, and was a member of the speech and debate team, which his mother coached. Patron was serving his third tour of duty. His military service, inspired by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, was set to end last month.
“He left in April and would have been home in November,” Kathy Patron said.
Sergeant Patron was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert. In addition to his deployment to Afghanistan, Daniel had served 2 tours of duty in Iraq. He loved to help and rescue stray dogs. He and his wife had two — Beefy and Monster — and Daniel cared for a third dog in Afghanistan, a bomb-sniffing dog named Boomer. Kathy and Frank spoke to their son Wednesday and told him that they loved him.