Earl Henry Patterson (February 6, 1898-June 13, 1971)

Clarice W. Patterson (June 11, 1909-September 17, 2000)

By Adrian Rayborn

Early Life in Indiana

Born in Van Buren, Indiana, a town now known as the “Popcorn Capital of the World,” Earl Henry Patterson was raised by Elza and Mary Patterson along with his four siblings.¹ Elza was an electrician and hard-working wage-earner. Mary was a seamstress, as we see in the 1910 Census.² Earl had three brothers Era, Marion, and Theodore, and one sister, Sarah. Earl was the middle child, born just before the turn of the century in 1898.³ Earl grew up with two household figures who were skilled laborers: his father, and his older brother, who happened to be an assistant engineer.⁴

Time Serving in World War One for the US Coast Guard

Earl Patterson enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during World War One as a Boatswain’s Mate, which the Coast Guard describes as “the most versatile member of the Coast Guard’s operational team, and a master of seamanship.”⁵ As a Boatswain’s Mate, Patterson’s duties included navigating boats, supervising deck maintenance, and acting as a lookout for security and communication. The Coast Guard played an important role in World War I, specifically in the Atlantic theater. The Coast Guard was responsible for enforcing neutrality laws, and once America declared war against Germany on April 6, 1917, the Coast Guard worked closely with the Navy.⁶

The 1917 Patriot Act empowered the Coast Guard to supervise vessel movements, establish restricted areas, and remove people from the ships it stopped. Some Coast Guard vessels entered the war zone in the Atlantic. After the war was over, the Coast Guard helped bring home American troops.⁷ While we are not sure what role Patterson played, as a Boatswain’s Mate he would have been involved in search and rescue missions if needed and held various important positions, such as officer-in-charge of small crafts and teams.⁸

Life Between Wars

In 1919, once Earl returned from serving in World War One, he married Margaret Hoffelder in New York City. They then moved to Washington, D.C.⁹ In 1930, Earl worked as a cashier at a service station and lived by himself, renting a room from a woman named Josephine Moore. Although Earl lived by himself, he remained married to Margaret.¹⁰ At some point during the Great Depression, they must have divorced. In 1938, he married Charlotte Clarice Wampler, who was born in Castlewood, Virginia in 1909.¹¹ By 1940, Earl and Clarice lived with Clarice’s mother. The couple had two children, Charles Donald and Nancy. Earl worked as a cab driver, and Clarice worked as a private duty nurse.¹²

Another World War With the US Coast Guard

In 1942, Patterson registered for the draft and served again in the Coast Guard during World War Two, as shown by his draft registration card.¹³ At some point, Earl earned the rank of Boatswain’s Mate, Second Class.¹⁴

During World War II, the Coast Guard again enforced US neutrality. With the passage of the Dangerous Cargo Act in 1940, the Coast Guard had the power to search and seize vessels believed to be carrying arms. Germany’s extensive use of U-Boats, even along the American shore, made it dangerous to be in the Coast Guard. The US Coast Guard sunk at least eleven German U-Boats during the war.¹⁵ Once again, we do not know the details of Earl’s military engagement but we do know he protected the US throughout the war.

Post-War Life

Earl and Clarice lived in Castlewood, Virginia until 1970. Clarice worked for twenty-five years as the “first female probation officer and first court liaison officer with the Prince George Children's Center” in Virginia.¹⁶ In 1970, they moved to Port Charlotte and became members of the Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Earl passed away on June 13, 1971, only a year into what appears to be their Florida retirement. Clarice died on September 17, 2000. Both were survived by their children, Don and Nancy, seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.¹⁷ The Pattersons are buried in section 103, plot 977 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.¹⁸ Earl is remembered for his service in the Coast Guard for his role in keeping our shores safe.

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