A Family of Survivors
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About the Book
"A Family of Survivors" is a factual account of the events experienced by a rural Arkansas family the first half of the twentieth century. It has interesting eyewitness accounts of major events that occurred during this period of our history. These events include World War I, the great influenza epidemic, the Elaine Race Riots, the Great Flood of 1927, the Stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed. It details events leading up to World War II, and gives an account of three brothers service in the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Army Air Force. It takes us to the surrender of Hitler's war machine.
As we celebrated V.E. Day, Victory in Europe, on May 8, 1945, we took stock of our losses. We were to learn that the 8th Air Force had spent 1,008 days in action against the enemy. We had burned a billion gallons of fuel, fired nearly 100 million rounds of machine gun ammunition and dropped more that 732,000 tons of bombs on the enemy. The 8th Air Force had lost 6,243 airplanes and more than 47,000 men.
The work of the 384th Bomber Group was not over. We would move into France and operate an airline for another seven months. This operation, called "The Green Project" is also outlined in the book.
About the Author
Nelton D. Patterson was born to Ben F. and Bettie Patterson in April 1919, on a farm near Elaine, Arkansas. He was the fifth of six children in the Patterson family. He graduated from Elaine High School in May of 1925. He volunteered for active duty in the Army Air Corp in January of 1942 and served four years, including one year in the 8th Air Force in England and France.
After his military service he returned to his civilian job with Sears where he completed 12 years of service. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Memphis State University and Master of Science and Doctors degree from North Texas Sate Unversity. He served as Education and Youth director of Baptist churches for 5 years, and director of a children's home for 5 years while completing his education.
He retired as Chairperson of the Psychology and counselling Department at the Universtiy of Central Arkansas in 1984 after 16 years, and is enjoying his 22nd year in retirement today.