Beaufort’s Waverly (Chief) Patterson, 52, joined the United States Navy in Richmond, Va., in 1989. After Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Ill., he was assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN- 71) homeported in Norfolk, Va. Shortly thereafter he and the ship deployed to the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield/Storm. While there the ship earned three Battle “Es”. He next attended Security School at Lackland AFB, Texas and then transferred to Naval Air Station Boca Chica, Key West, Fla. He was medically discharged from there in 1995. He found his way to Beaufort County and began a series of public service jobs including 25 years at Callawassee Island, rising to be Director of Security; providing ambulatory transport for medical patients; and now at Beaufort Memorial Hospital in Central Transport and outpatient transport. He also provides transport for the Beaufort County Coroner. He is now attending classes in Medical Coding. He belongs to the AMVETS, DAV, and for six years was Commander of the VFW Post. – Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
