| Harold James Van Patten, Jr. 1923 - 1997 Marion Jean Easton 1922 - 1992 |
| Harold James Van Patten, Jr. in WWII |
Harold James Van Patten, Jr. was the oldest of two children born to Harold
James and Norma B. (Erwin) Van Patten on 14MAR1923 in Anaheim, Orange
County, California and died 29AUG1997 in Yorba Linda, Orange County,
California. On 21MAY1944 in Fullerton, California, he was married to Marion
Jean Easton who was born 31AUG1922 in Bloomington, San Bernardino
County, California and died 21OCT1992 in Yorba Linda, Orange County,
California.
Harold, Jr. was the bugler for the San Diego Marine Corp. Station for most of
WWII until he was made Drum Major of the Drum and Bugle Corp. His unit
shipped out to Guam where he trained as a Gunnery Sergeant. Three days
before shipping out for the mainland assault on Japan, the bomb was dropped on
Hiroshima and at the end of the war he spent a year in Peking, China with the
Occupation Forces, again as bugler. Everyday he stood in Tiannamen Square,
overlooking the Forbidden City and blew calls for the troops.
Harold built his house in 1953 on the exact same site where his grandfather, John
Henry Van Patten's original home once stood. The family ranch, which his
grandfather had started in the early 1900's was alive with orange and avacado
groves, but due to the high California taxes, in 1964, the land was made barren.
The last of the property was sold off in 1995 and today on this site is the only
Polish language Catholic Church on the west coast (Pope John Paul II
Community Church). The old Van Patten house is now the church rectory.
Harold, Jr. and Marion had three children: Kathryn, Shannon and Daniel.
James and Norma B. (Erwin) Van Patten on 14MAR1923 in Anaheim, Orange
County, California and died 29AUG1997 in Yorba Linda, Orange County,
California. On 21MAY1944 in Fullerton, California, he was married to Marion
Jean Easton who was born 31AUG1922 in Bloomington, San Bernardino
County, California and died 21OCT1992 in Yorba Linda, Orange County,
California.
Harold, Jr. was the bugler for the San Diego Marine Corp. Station for most of
WWII until he was made Drum Major of the Drum and Bugle Corp. His unit
shipped out to Guam where he trained as a Gunnery Sergeant. Three days
before shipping out for the mainland assault on Japan, the bomb was dropped on
Hiroshima and at the end of the war he spent a year in Peking, China with the
Occupation Forces, again as bugler. Everyday he stood in Tiannamen Square,
overlooking the Forbidden City and blew calls for the troops.
Harold built his house in 1953 on the exact same site where his grandfather, John
Henry Van Patten's original home once stood. The family ranch, which his
grandfather had started in the early 1900's was alive with orange and avacado
groves, but due to the high California taxes, in 1964, the land was made barren.
The last of the property was sold off in 1995 and today on this site is the only
Polish language Catholic Church on the west coast (Pope John Paul II
Community Church). The old Van Patten house is now the church rectory.
Harold, Jr. and Marion had three children: Kathryn, Shannon and Daniel.
| Want to get in touch with me? Any Corrections or Comments? E-Mail Me! astrodog58@aol.com |
