Sergeant Robert M. Patterson, USA

Robert Martin Patterson was born on April 16, 1948 in Durham, North Carolina. As a 20-year old Specialist 4th Class in the United States Army, he was posted with Troop B of the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, fighting in Vietnam attached to the 101st Airborne Division.

Forty-five years ago today, May 6, 1968, Patterson was a fire team leader when his unit became pinned down by heavy fires from an enemy bunker complex while they were in the attack. Patterson charged the enemy positions, and was rewarded with both a promotion to Sergeant and the receipt of our Nation's highest honor for his courage.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (M-Z):

PATTERSON, ROBERT MARTIN

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Troop B, 2d Squadron. 17th Cavalry. Place and date: Near La Chu, Republic of Vietnam, 6 May 1968. Entered service at: Raleigh, N.C. Born: 16 April 1948, Durham, N.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Patterson (then Sp4c.) distinguished himself while serving as a fire team leader of the 3d Platoon, Troop B, during an assault against a North Vietnamese Army battalion which was entrenched in a heavily fortified position. When the leading squad of the 3d Platoon was pinned down by heavy interlocking automatic weapon and rocket propelled grenade fire from 2 enemy bunkers, Sgt. Patterson and the 2 other members of his assault team moved forward under a hail of enemy fire to destroy the bunkers with grenade and machinegun fire. Observing that his comrades were being fired on from a third enemy bunker covered by enemy gunners in l-man spider holes, Sgt. Patterson, with complete disregard for his safety and ignoring the warning of his comrades that he was moving into a bunker complex, assaulted and destroyed the position. Although exposed to intensive small arm and grenade fire from the bunkers and their mutually supporting emplacements. Sgt. Patterson continued his assault upon the bunkers which were impeding the advance of his unit. Sgt. Patterson single-handedly destroyed by rifle and grenade fire 5 enemy bunkers, killed 8 enemy soldiers and captured 7 weapons. His dauntless courage and heroism inspired his platoon to resume the attack and to penetrate the enemy defensive position. Sgt. Patterson's action at the risk of his life has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Robert Patterson retired from the Army holding the service's most senior enlisted rank of Command Sergeant Major in 1990. He is still living.

2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment is currently an air cavalry reconnaissance unit in the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Their home station is Fort Campbell, Kentucky.