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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Michelle A. Fannon

Clarence A. Patnode, Jr. was born in Churubusco, NY, 1 June 1932 and graduated Chateaugay High School in Chateaugay, NY in 1950. He received a BS in Mathematics from St. Lawrence University and was commissioned as a 2LT of Infantry, U. S. Army, upon graduation on 6 June 1954.

In May of 1955, he entered Aviation Training at Gary Air Force Base, San Marcos, TX. He graduated as an Army Aviator in December 1955 From Fort Rucker, Alabama. He returned to Gary AFB for helicopter training. He received a helicopter rating at Fort Rucker, AL in April, 1956.

In May of 1956, he was assigned to the 8th Army Flight Detachment in Korea where he served as an Operational Pilot and Flight Maintenance Officer.

In September of 1957 he reported to the US Army Primary Helicopter School, Camp Wolters, TX and served as an instructor and check pilot until Aug. 1959. Returning to the 82nd Airborne Division as a Company Commander and S-1 First Battle Group 503rd Infantry, until December 1961 at which time he became Aviation Contingency Plans Officer, G-3 Section, 18th Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC. He served on the Field Test Committee of the HOWZE Board.

He attended the University of Arizona, graduating with a Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering in June 1965. He then served as an Aeronautical Engineer and Project Engineer for the Tactical Aircraft Guidance System (TAGS) at the US Army Aviation Material Laboratories, Fort Eustis, Virginia, through November of 1966.

Major Patnode reported to the 191st Assault Helicopter Company, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in December of 1966 and served as Gun Platoon Leader and Operations Officer through May, 1967. Upon arrival in Vietnam in May of 1967, he assumed command of the 191st Assault Helicopter Company (Boomerang slicks and Bounty Hunter guns). From November of 1967 until April of 1968, he was assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade Headquarters as Assistant S-3, Operations.

From June of 1968 through July of 1971, Lieutenant Colonel Patnode served as Department of the Army System Staff Officer for the 0H-58 and the Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS). He was assigned as Executive Officer to the UTTAS Project Manager's Office in St. Louis, MO July 1973. In March of 1975, he became the Assistant Project Manager for Test and Evaluation (UTTAS) through the flyoff which produced the UH-60 Blackhawk. He was promoted to Colonel in June 1975.

On 13 February, 1977, Colonel Patnode became the Project Manager for the Target Acquistion Designation System/Pilot Night Vision System (TADS/PNVS), Advanced Attack Helicopter Program, St. Louis, Missouri. He held this position through the flyoff which produced the TADS/PNVS for the AH-64 Apache. He retired from the US Army on 30 June 1980.