Irwin George Patch Jr.
Captain Navy World War II; Korean War; Vietnam War
- Branch of Service
- Navy
- Rank
- Captain
- Unit
- Naval Aviation Night Torpedo Squadrons 43, 53, and 90; VS-33 (C.O.), VS-21, VS-39
- Conflict / Era
- World War II; Korean War; Vietnam War
- Years of Service
- 1943 – 1982
- Date of Birth
- 08/06/1926
- Hometown
- UNKNOWN, OH
- Awards & Decorations
- Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Designated Combat Aircrewman (1944); Designated Naval Aviator (1963)
- Monument Paver
- No
- Overseas Service
- Western Pacific - Iwo Jima; Far East; Tonkin Gulf, Australia; Mediterranean; Indian Ocean
- Township (entering service)
- UNKNOWN
- Township (current / at death)
- Colleyville, Texas
- Church
- First Presbyterian Church, Grapevine, Texas
- School
- Naval Academy Prep School (1946); Naval Academy (1951); Naval War College (1963)
- Record Authenticated
- No
Decorations
Biography
Overseas service: Western Pacific - Iwo Jima; Far East; Tonkin Gulf, Australia; Mediterranean; Indian Ocean. Church: First Presbyterian Church, Grapevine, Texas. School: Naval Academy Prep School (1946); Naval Academy (1951); Naval War College (1963). active service from 08/30/1943 to 01/02/1982; served onboard the Saratoga, Kearsarge, Bennington, Hornet, Missouri (1948), Cabot (1952), Valley Forge (1954), Essex (1963), and Little Rock (1973); served as part of the spacecraft recovery program; served onboard the Bennington for the Apollo 4 mission in 1968; served onboard the Hornet for the Apollo 11 and 12 missions; was Air Officer onboard the Hornet for the first two moon landing missions; earned serveral records as Naval Aviator: most carrier landings (27) in a single day, first Naval Aviator to make 100 landings on an angled deck, and among only a few to have more than 500 night carrier landings; lived with family (Dunn's) on Rt. 31, Union County, until nearly six years old; in 07/1943, rode bicycle 117 miles from Wellston to Dunn's house to obtain their blessings before enlisting in the Navy
Source: Veteran data form submitted 05/09/2007 by veteran, Irwin "George" Patch, Jr.; veteran picture obtained from Jan Dunn | No DD-214 found in Union County Recorder's Office as of 14 December 2007