ROCHESTER, IN, USA U.S. Army SGT, TROOP C, 1ST SQUADRON, 73D CAVALRY, 2 BCT, FORT BRAGG, NC BAGHDAD, IRAQ 09/10/2007
Army Sergeant Nicholas Patterson died on September 10, 2007 while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. and succumbed to injuries sustained in Baghdad during a non-combat-related vehicle rollover. Also killed were Staff Sergeant Yance T. Gray, Staff Sgt. Gregory Rivera-Santiago, Sergeant Michael C. Hardegree, Sergeant Omar L. Mora, Specialist Ari D. Brown-Weeks and Specialist Steven R. Elrod. The oldest of the dead soldiers was 28, the youngest, 20. They leave behind five wives, two sons, four daughters, seven mothers, five fathers, one step-father, numerous brothers, sisters and grandparents, scores of friends and seven grieving communities. None of them will grow old. But all of them will be remembered.
Nick came into this world full of life on Feb. 26, 1983. He attended Rochester High School where he was a vital part of the baseball and basketball programs. He was blessed to become a father to a beautiful son, Reilley Nicholas Caden Patterson, whom he adored. He married his long time love and high school sweetheart, the former Jayme Saner of Akron, on Dec. 27, 2006. They dreamed of a long and loving marriage.
Sergeant. Nicholas “Nick” Patterson joined the Army on May 18, 2004. After basic training, Sergeant. Patterson was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served with 3-505th Parachute Infantry Battalion and 1-73 Cavalry. Nick deployed as a member of C Troop 1-73 Cavalry as a scout in support of Hurricane Katrina and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, The Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Parachutist’s Badge.
Nick is survived by his loving wife and sweetheart, Jayme (Saner) Patterson and his son, Reilley, both of Fayetteville, N.C.; his father and stepmother, his mother and stepfather ; a stepbrother, Rochester; and a sister, and two sets of grandparents as well as his father-in-law and mother-in- law. Also surviving are his “brothers” of 1-325 C-Troop with whom he took great pride in serving next to.
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