Marine Staff Sgt. Jayton Patterson

"That morning, before we left, Sgt. Patterson told me he dreamed that something had happened to him.  He just laughed at it." -- Chris Neff, fellow Marine, in an email to Sgt. Patterson's parents

Staff Sgt. Jayton Patterson, USMC, died as a result of hostile action on January 15, 2005 in Babil Province, Iraq. He left behind a wife and a young daughter, as well as parents, siblings, cousins and a whole community of loved ones.  Small towns across America embrace their soldiers and sailors; the population adopts them as their own. Consequently, their loss is felt by every resident. 

The medals, photos, Marine Corps cover, Marine Corps pennant, Marine Comfort Quilt, newspaper articles, albums, letters and other personal effects have been provided courtesy of the Patterson family of Sedley, Virginia.