Patrick, "Patty" when we were in elementary school, always made friends so easily. He was cheery and attracted people like a magnet. We attended Farmersville Elementary school in Bethlehem Township together, that was the late 50's. My family moved away, so we lost contact in junior high (called "middle school" now). Patty was one of two children and I recall the shock when we learned of the death of his older sister, while still in high school as I recall. I had heard that Patty joined the Army in part because he wasn't sure what he wanted to do out of high school. He was apparently in the lead jeep on a recon patrol in Cambodia (of course back then we were "never in Cambodia") when they came under fire, probably NVA. Patty was one of several killed in action in that ambush. It wasn't until 1972, when I was home on leave - with my orders to DaNang, RVN - that I learned of his death. To this day, with 3 children of my own, I cannot imagine the insufferable pain that his parents felt with his death. It would have been an honor to fight alongside you, Patty, may the Lord keep you and give you Peace.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 30 May 1970, a "gun-jeep" of E/3/22nd Infantry was ambushed in a Michelin rubber plantation in Cambodia while escorting tracked vehicles through the plantation. Three men died in the ambush: 1LT William Ellis Gay, E/3/22nd Inf SGT Ken Swain Maxwell, E/3/22nd Inf SGT Patrick Elswood McDaniel, E/3/22nd Inf

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