(WKYT) – A World War II soldier from Wayne County received recognition Friday in a special ceremony, more than 80 years after he died in combat.
For years, the family of Jesse Patton only knew that he died serving his country. But recent technology and the work of a man in France revealed the true story of his sacrifice.
The story began in 2020 when a man from France started studying a picture of two soldiers and used the internet to identify them.
“It comes out that Jesse was in his village, defending his village from Germans, when he was shot and killed,” said Christopher Patton, Jesse Patton’s great nephew.
Jesse Patton died in battle on Sept. 16, 1944. His actions saved an entire town, but the soldier wasn’t properly identified until recently.
“For 75 years they celebrated an unknown soldier on September 16th, 1944,” Christopher Patton said.
The French village continues to hold ceremonies in Jesse Patton’s honor every year. A park in France is named after him.
Friday’s ceremony brought that celebration stateside with the Frenchman who made it all possible.
“Like I said, it’s small story, in the big story. But small stories are important,” said Jean-Pierre Humbert, who discovered the identity of the Kentucky soldier.
The ceremony included a gun salute and taps.
“It’s an overflow of joy, peace, and knowing that someone in your family died trying to help others,” Christopher Patton said.
People in France are writing a book about Jesse Patton and the sacrifices made by him and other soldiers.