25 Outstanding Minnesota Veterans Were Honored on September 11, 2016 by the Minnesota Humanities Center for Their Leadership and Community Contributions, including our own Don Patton. Here is his citation:
Colonel Donald G. Patton. Army. Edina
Don Patton is an Army Veteran from Edina who served in the U.S. Army for 30 years, which included 13 years in command positions with two battalion commands. He served as Commander of Unit as custodian of Nuclear Weapons for the French Air Force. After graduation from the Army War College in 1985, he organized, with
Dr. Harold Deutsch, the WWII History Round Table, which includes oral histories from WWII Veterans. Since retiring as a Colonel, Don works tirelessly to preserve the factual history and study of WWII. Don’s work through the Round Table includes organizing and leading tours of European battlefields and American cemeteries to educate and pay tribute to American Veterans. The WWII History Round Table has organized over 300 programs that recognize, honor, and tell the stories of over 1,000 Veterans. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal five times during his military service. Recently, Don was awarded the Minnesota Superior Civilian Service Award by the Adjutant General of Minnesota for his work with the Round Table and raising awareness of Veterans’ contributions. He is currently serving on the Committee for Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
Dr. Harold Deutsch, the WWII History Round Table, which includes oral histories from WWII Veterans. Since retiring as a Colonel, Don works tirelessly to preserve the factual history and study of WWII. Don’s work through the Round Table includes organizing and leading tours of European battlefields and American cemeteries to educate and pay tribute to American Veterans. The WWII History Round Table has organized over 300 programs that recognize, honor, and tell the stories of over 1,000 Veterans. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal five times during his military service. Recently, Don was awarded the Minnesota Superior Civilian Service Award by the Adjutant General of Minnesota for his work with the Round Table and raising awareness of Veterans’ contributions. He is currently serving on the Committee for Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
For more information on Veterans’ Voices and all 2016 awardee bios visit mnhum.org/vets.