REMEMBERED ACROSS THE YEARS by his son Karlton S. Patton karltonpat@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The Navy's YRBMs provided floating barracks and support bases for the riverine forces, bases which could be relocated at will. On 27 July 1968 YRBM-18 was anchored in the upper My Tho River near the Cho Lach District Town, South Vietnam. At about 10:30 PM Petty Officer First Class Ward K. Patton and another crewman were returning to YRBM-18 from another craft; the second crewcrewman was lighting the way with a flashlight when Petty Officer Patton missed his footing and fell into the swiftly moving current. The second crewman crew member went to the spot where Patton had disappeared but found nothing. He then notified the ship and an alarm sounded immediately. All forces in the area were alerted to assist in the extensive search conducted along the My Tho and Ham Luong Rivers as well as along the river banks. Petty Officer Patton was not found. As of 27 Jan 2005 Petty Officer Patton's remains have not been repatriated. From the POW Network

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