Burton D. Patrick

Burton DeWayne Patrick (born October 11, 1935) is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army. He is a former commander of the 101st Airborne Division. During the Vietnam War, he was Special Forces Advisor to the 42nd Vietnamese Ranger Battalion.

Early life and education The son of Walter and Ruby McElreath Patrick, Patrick was born in Fickling, Georgia on October 11, 1935. Patrick graduated from North Georgia College, now part of the University of North Georgia, at which time he received his Army commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He also received his master's degree from Shippensburg University.

After serving as chief of the Legislative Liaison Office of the Secretary of the Army in Washington, D.C., Patrick returned to Fort Campbell to begin his tenure as the 32nd commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division on June 18, 1985, replacing outgoing Major General James E. Thompson Jr. Serving at Fort Campbell until May 20, 1987, Patrick moved to South Korea to become commanding general of the Combined Field Army between the United States and South Korea. He was also nominated for promotion to lieutenant general.

Post-military Upon his retirement from the army in 1988, Patrick served as the city administrator of Thomson, Georgia.