Sgt. Daniel James Patron

April 30, 1985 - August 06, 2011

Canton, Ohio

4th Platoon - 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal
United States Marine Corps

Son. Husband. Brother. Uncle. Hero

Sgt. Daniel James Patron, USMC understood the concepts of honor and duty as he modeled them in every facet of his life.

Dan was born in Canton, Ohio on April 30, 1985—the 10^th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam. He was the second of two sons born to Frank and Kathleen Patron. Daniel graduated with the Perry High School class of 2003, where he was the star of his high school musical and excelled as a drummer in the marching band. Dan composed a number of cadences for the PHS drum line, some of which are still used today. Dan also taught himself how to play the bagpipes; he was well-known for appearing at a myriad of functions wearing his kilt with his bagpipe in tow.

Dan began his career in the United State Marine Corps immediately following graduation. Dan first wrote about his interest in the military in his senior class autobiography. The following is an excerpt: “a major change in my life was when I first told Mom and Dad I was joining the Marine Corps. After a week of trying to convince them, they signed for me. I am now an enlisted Marine. On July 7 (2003), I will be leaving everything behind. I will be leaving to face thirteen weeks of hell; I will not be a civilian anymore, but I will be a soldier. I will be the best soldier there is. Someday, I will march in “The Commandants Own.”

Rally and Fight

Did you hear about the man who would not leave?Cautiously treading;
While families grieved.
Did you hear about all the soldiers lost?
And learning to walk again
They served, despite the heavy cost
You saved your boys and saw them home,
But you would be met by a cold, grey stone.
Did you hear about my brother who fell by fire?
And never got to fulfill his heart’s desire?
Did you hear about his helmet sitting alone in the night,
Without my Dan to rally and fight?

Written by Matthew Patron
Very Proud Brother of Sgt. Daniel J. Patron

Dan completed recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island in October 2003; he completed his Marine Combat Training (MCT) in November of 2003 and proceeded to check into The School of Music (SOM) in Norfolk, Virginia. Dan completed SOM in May 2004, and he joined the Second Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Cherry Point, NC. During his first four years of enlistment, Dan traveled and performed with the USMC Band as a drummer.

In May 2005 Dan volunteered to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; he was attached to and deployed with the 2^nd LAAD. When Dan arrived home from his first deployment, he submitted a Lateral Move package into Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). When Dan’s Lateral Move package was accepted, he attended the Naval School/Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin AFB in Florida. In February 2008, Dan graduated EOD School and shortly thereafter reported to the Second Marine Logistic Group, 8^th Engineer Support Battalion, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

In July 2008, Dan was attached to 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines where he deployed again, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dan and his EOD team rendered safe and disposed many IEDs, conducted post blast analysis and recovered and destroyed explosive remnants of war. He returned home in March 2009. Five months after his return, he married Cody (Drace) Patron on August 26, 2009.

In April 2011 Dan voluntarily deployed a third time with 4^th Platoon, 2^nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On August 6, 2011, Dan was killed in action while conducting combat operations in Sangin, Afghanistan in the Helmand Province.

On August 13, 2011, hundreds of people lined the streets of Perry Township to pay their final respects to Sgt. Daniel James Patron. After the funeral mass the bagpipes began to play ‘Amazing Grace’ while Dan’s parents, brother, sister-in-law, widow and family followed his flag draped casket from St. Joan of Arch Church. The flag draped casket was loaded into a motorcycle hearse; Cody (Dan’s wife) took her last ride with her husband. Dan was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery near his cousin, US Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Kessler, who was killed on August 30, 2010 in Afghanistan.

Dan has been honored at many remembrance services including Camp Pendleton, CA with the 1^st Battalion, 5^th Marines, and Camp Lejeune, NC with his EOD unit and the 2^nd Battalion, 8^th Marines. The Perry Police Department dedicated their DARE car in memory of Dan, detailed on the back of the car “USMC Sgt. Daniel Patron PHS Class of 2003, Perry’s finest.” He also will have a bench/remembrance service in April 2012 at the Ohio Veterans Memorial Park, Clinton, Ohio, as well as a bench/remembrance service at the Perry High School Veterans Memorial, where Dan’s picture will be added to the memorial.

In May 2012 Dan’s name will be etched on the wall of fallen EOD Marines at Eglin AFB. A proposal to name a portion of Route 172 between Perry Drive and Jackson Avenue in Dan’s honor and memory is currently in progress, as well.

Dan’s mom, Kathy Patron, says Dan was “selfless, brave, gusty, handsome, very well liked, and he had a beautiful smile.” Steve Luke, Dan’s cousin had this to say: “Danny always knew how to make people laugh. He believed life should not always be so serious. I think we all knew that Danny practiced what he preached. A common phrase often heard at many family parties was ‘What did Danny do now?’ He wanted to be the best damn soldier there was. After 4 years in the Marine Corps band, what would Danny do? The answer-train in Explosive Ordnance Disposal. After his eight years were up and he had the opportunity to get out. What would Danny do? The answer-voluntarily extend his mission in Afghanistan four more months so he could stay with his fellow Marines. That was Danny Patron. One of a kind. A True Unselfish American Hero.”

Capt. Michael J. Donaldson, the company commander for Alpha Company, said that, “The first time I met Daniel was my company’s
daily staff meeting. Every night I can see the displeasure on my company staff over having to attend these things, but that is what made
my first interaction with Sgt. Patron so memorable. When it came time for EOD to speak, Daniel stood up with a huge smile on his face,
introduced himself proudly and then went into a very detailed brief on activities in Sangin. Before he finished speaking I remember
leaning over to my first sergeant and whispering ‘This guy smiles way too much to be EOD.”

Dan leaves behind a wife (Cody), his parents (Frank and Kathleen), a brother and sister-in-law (Matt and Meagan), his niece, (Mia), his soon-to-be-born nephew (Daniel James Patron II), and his beloved canine companions (Beefy, Monster, and Hercules). Dan also leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins. Sgt. Dan will forever be remembered for his courage and commitment, his infectious smile, and his carefree attitude. He was an extraordinary man.

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