ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/16/2008
Marine from Fenton area is killed in Afghanistan
FENTON — Michael Patton, 19, who grew up in the Fenton area and
graduated from Fox High School in Arnold in 2007, was among four Marines
killed by a roadside bomb on Saturday in Afghanistan, his sister said Sunday.
Patton joined the Marines shortly after graduating from high school and had
been stationed at Twentynine Palms Marine Base in California before being sent
to Afghanistan in April, according to his sister, Rebecca Patton of Fenton.
She said her family was informed of his death on Saturday. She was unsure when
his body would be returned home for burial.
Rebecca Patton said her brother was in a convoy when his vehicle struck the
explosive device. None of the other victims was from the St. Louis area.
Further details were unavailable.
Michael Patton was married about a year ago. His wife, Amy, had been his
girlfriend in high school, Rebecca Patton said.
"He had talked about joining the military since he was about 5 years old,"
Rebecca Patton said. "He was willing to follow his dream, even though it cost
him his life."
She said he had played on the varsity soccer team at Fox High and was popular
among his classmates.
He also was known for his infectious smile, she said. "He had two huge dimples
on the side of his face that came out when he smiled," she said.
In addition to his wife and sister Rebecca, survivors include his parents,
James and Teresa Patton of Fenton, and another sister, Margaret.
Marine from Fenton killed
in Afghanistan
By Trish Wallace
Monday, June 16, 2008 12:14 PM CDT
A Fenton family is mourning the loss of
a local Marine killed in Afghanistan over the weekend.
Michael Patton, 19, was one of four
Marines killed by a roadside bomb last week.
Patton’s sister, Rebecca Patton, said
her brother was a wonderful man and a great Marine who was doing what he
believed he was supposed to do.
Michael Patton grew up in Fenton and
graduated from Fox High School in 2007. During high school, Patton played
varsity soccer as a goalie.
Last September, Patton married his high
school sweetheart, Amy. He was deployed to Afghanistan in April.
In addition to Amy and Rebecca, Patton is survived by his parents, James and
Teresa Patton, and Margaret, another sister.
