Army Sgt. Nicholas J. Patterson, 24, of Rochester, Ind.; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Sept. 10 in Baghdad of injuries sustained in a non-combat-related vehicle rollover. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Yance T. Gray, Staff Sgt. Gregory Rivera-Santiago, Sgt. Michael C. Hardegree, Sgt. Omar L. Mora, Spc. Ari D. Brown-Weeks and Spc. Steven R. Elrod. Nicholas was a 2001 graduate of Rochester High School where he was a standout athlete leading the basketball team in scoring during the 2000-2001 season. His jersey number was 10, on the basketball court and baseball diamond. Nick joined the Army May 2004. He completed Infantry One Station Unit Training in September 2004 and the Basic Airborne Course in October 2004 at Fort Benning, Ga. He had one previous deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from July 2006 to December 2006. His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two loops, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Parachutist's Badge. Nick was married and has a son. He was 24.
Army Sgt. Nicholas J. Patterson, 24, of Rochester, Ind.; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Sept. 10 in Baghdad of injuries sustained in a non-combat-related vehicle rollover. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Yance T. Gray, Staff Sgt. Gregory Rivera-Santiago, Sgt. Michael C. Hardegree, Sgt. Omar L. Mora, Spc. Ari D. Brown-Weeks and Spc. Steven R. Elrod. Nicholas was a 2001 graduate of Rochester High School where he was a standout athlete leading the basketball team in scoring during the 2000-2001 season. His jersey number was 10, on the basketball court and baseball diamond. Nick joined the Army May 2004. He completed Infantry One Station Unit Training in September 2004 and the Basic Airborne Course in October 2004 at Fort Benning, Ga. He had one previous deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from July 2006 to December 2006. His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two loops, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Parachutist's Badge. Nick was married and has a son. He was 24.
