G. S. Patrick

Goldsborough Serpell Patrick was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.

Biography

Patrick was born Goldsborough Serpell Patrick on Goat Island in San Francisco, California.^[1] He was the son of Jane Deakins Serpell of Norfolk, Va and Navy Chaplain Capt Bower Reynolds Patrick. He died 21 March 1999 in Virginia Beach, VA

Career

Patrick's first assignments were aboard the USS Augusta (CA-31), USS Pope (DD-225) and USS Farragut (DD-348).

On December 7, 1941, Patrick was stationed at Pearl Harbor. During the attack that day, his directive that moored ships store live ammunition in their gun mounts would help the U.S. resistance against the Imperial Japanese Navy. He later commanded the USS Preston (DD-795) during World War II from commissioning on 20 March 1944 until 20 Sept 1945. During this time, he commanded the Preston in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa.

Later, Patrick would command the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) during the Korean War. Following the war, he was named Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in the Netherlands and Inspector General of the Navy.

Awards he received include the Navy Cross, Bronze Star Medal with award star and the Legion of Merit.

References