Donald D. Patterson
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy (Retired)

A native of Ventura, California, Donald Dean Patterson, was born October 19 , 1927. He graduated from high school in 1945 and attended Hartnell College, in Salinas, California in 1946 and 1947. He and his wife Donna had three children, two daughters, Laura Lynn, and Nora Nannette and a son, Garry Glenn.

LCDR Patterson enlisted in the United States Navy in January, 1945, attending recruit training at Naval Training Center, San Diego. He moved on to the Navy School of Music, Washington, D.C., completing the six month "A" school in three weeks, and was assigned to the USS Wasp, PACFLT band as trombone instrumentalist. After a short return to the School of Music, Mr. Patterson was assigned to Entertainment Branch, New York, and rehearsed for a show tour to the Pacific and Far East with a special show band. Among his many assignments have been seven tours in the Far East, including a stint in Peking in 1946.

After a short break in service, Mr. Patterson reenlisted and served with bands on the USS St. Paul, USS Astoria, USS Pasadena, USS Springfield, and ComCruDiv 5 in rapid succession. In 1951, he was stationed at Naval Operations Base, Kodiak, Alaska. In 1954, he transferred to Receiving Station, Seattle, where he was head arranger for the Seattle TV series, "March- On," which won two Peabody Awards as the best show of its kind in the country. In 1955, he returned to the Navy School of Music for musicians "B" school, and after completion, was retained as rehearsal leader of the Dance Band division and promoted to Chief Musician. Next was a tour on the USS Macon and a Midshipman cruise traveling to Sweden, Germany, and Cuba. While enlisted, Mr. Patterson was leader of Unit Bands 108 and 188 (ComDruDesPac, San Diego, and Long Beach, and ComPhibPac, San Diego, respectively).

In 1959, Patterson was commissioned a Warrant Officer One, and assigned as rehearsal conductor and Special Projects Officer at the Navy School of Music, Washington, D.C. In 1960, he was promoted to Ensign and was assigned as Leader, Band 161 at Naval Base Brooklyn, New York, followed by promotion to LTJG in 1961, and to Lieutenant in 1964. Mr. Patterson was then assigned as Director of Bands and Personnel Officer at FAU, ComNavAirLant, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was promoted to LCDR in 1968 and served as Assistant Leader of the Naval Academy Band until 1970 when he assumed duties as Head, Music Branch at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. He became the 14th Leader of the United States Naval Academy Band later in 1970.

LCDR Don Patterson.

HISTORY