Betty Ann Patterson joined the Army in 1952, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Photo courtesy of Betty Ann Patterson.
By Christen McCluney
Veterans’ Reflections is a collection of stories of men and women who served their country in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Shield and Desert Storm and present-day conflicts. They will be posted throughout November in honor of Veteran’s Day.
When Betty Ann Patterson joined the Army in 1952 she knew she wanted to do one thing, make a difference.
“Women were only a minuscule part of the military in those days,” she said. “I wanted to break new ground, to go where few women had gone before and to be a leader in an unexplored area.”
Serving 22 years in the military, Patterson did just that.
Originally from Tacoma, Wash., she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corp, the women’s branch of the U.S. Army, shortly after her graduation from the State College of Washington (now Washington State University). After completing her basic military officers course at Fort Lee, Va, in February 1953, she accepted a regular Army commission as a second lieutenant and in 1960 she transferred to the Air Force as a captain.
During her time in service Patterson served during both the Korean and Vietnam wars and spent one year in Vietnam from August 1967 to 1968, which she says is her most memorable time of her service. She said one of the biggest lessons learned during her time in the service was not to expect special privileges because she was a woman.
“In my day women had to work harder than men to achieve success in the military service,” she said. “We had to prove ourselves worthy of our responsibilities.”
As an officer she said she learned to seize every opportunity to lead as a woman during that time. “Never tell your superiors you can’t do something, she added. “If they think you’re qualified, you are.”
Patterson retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1974, and returned to Tacoma, after many years living in La. Jolla, Calif. and Arlington, Va.
After retiring Patterson said she sees Veterans Day as a day of rest for her and her husband, who is retired from the Navy. She added that in her younger days she would attend military parades and march, but now she spends her day reflecting.
“Veterans Day means celebrating the military strength of our country so that we can remain free,” she said. “It recognizes the veterans who have contributed to our freedom, many by making the ultimate sacrifice.”
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