LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant John Crockett PATTON
Service No: 405646
Born: Petone, New Zealand, 12 October 1914
Enlisted in the RAAF: 27 April 1941 (at Brisbane QLD)
Unit: 13th Bomber Squadron (USAAF), No.3 Bombardment Group
Died: Air Operations: (13th Bomber Squadron Mitchell aircraft 41-12499), New Guinea, 15 August 1942, Aged 27 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of John and Effel Honora Patton, of Mackay, Queensland
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 9, Port Moresby Memorial, PNG
Remembered: Panel 134, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 25 August 1942 Mitchell 41-12499 was reported missing on a combat mission to attack seaplanes at Gasmata, New Britain. The aircraft was presumed to have been hit by anti-aircraft fire in the target area.
The crew members of 41-12499 were:
First Lieutenant Charles V Berdine (O-725487) (Co-Pilot)
Sergeant Nelson A Boyd (14017184) (Gunner)
First Lieutenant Mark P Hubert (O-659551) (Bombardier)
First Lieutenant Norman K Miller (O-725897) (Navigator)
Captain James Lawson Orr (O-023098) (Pilot and Aircraft Captain)
Sergeant John Crockett Patton (405646) (Wireless Air Gunner)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9301, Barcode 5524738