Army Ranger SPC Cody James Patterson, 24, was killed October 6, 2013 by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. SPC Patterson was a rifleman assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. He was on his second deployment to Afghanistan in support of the War on Terror.

His awards and decorations include the Parachutist Badge, the U.S. Army Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

SPC Patterson was posthumously awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart and NATO Medal.

As a Ranger, SPC Patterson selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier direct action raid force, continuously deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, and fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation.

Cody is survived by his mother, Nancy R. Wilson; and his siblings, Taylor Patterson, Nicole Patterson, Letitia Williams, Elijah Williams, Kapriel Wilson, and Mara Wilson.

Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund honored his family at our annual Gold Star Memorial Event by presenting a hand painted portrait of Cody commissioned by the American Fallen Soldier’s Project.