- My step-Father, 1st Lt. Edward B.Patterson, 644th, was captured on recon on Dec. 17,1944. Quote from a letter to Patterson from Harlow F. Lenon, 24 Dec. 1945. "...After you had gone around the hill toward Bullingen on that memorable occasion, we heard quite a lot of small arms fire, and shortly thereafter the point of the Kraut column came over the same road you had just been travelling. Lt. McDemott took care of the German Tanks, but we assumed that you had gone to your reward. Our joy at getting your radio reports did not last long, because we were informed in the afternoon that Bullingen was taken completely, and we saw and fired on a hugh column which was moving out of Bullingen to the west toward Butgenbach. (more) Ed, you deserve the very highest commendation for your exploits that day. A number of stories reached us about your stand in Bullingen, and what information we got by radio was invaluable when we set up the southern defences of Krinkelt and Wirtzfeld. Your conduct in this operation and in the Hurtgen Forest battle were of the highest order, and I hope you will accept this letter as a enthusiastic expression of my regard for your intelligence, courage and soldierliness. With the best of good wishes for you and yours, I am.....yours very truly, Harlow F Lenon" Thank you Dad and all of the Greatest Generation--Olson