Patterson, Kenneth G. S1
923 74 63

(Illegible handwriting at top)

332 East North Street
New Castle, PA

November 2nd 1945

Captain McVay:
I'm writing to ask you if you could give me any information about the rating my husband, Kenneth George Patterson 923-74-63, was to have received. He took his test for cox swain on July 17th and I received several letters with that rating after his name and he said that he had passed his examination.
The Navy department has referred to him as S/1c in all their letters, and I would like to have this cleared up. I will appreciate any information you can give me.

Thank you
Mrs Vera Patterson

Pers-8249-LK

PATTERSON, Kenneth George, Slc, V-6,
USNR, 923 74 63

November 19, 1945

My dear Mrs. Patterson,

Your letter of November 2nd concerning your husband, Kenneth George Patterson, reached me several days ago.

I have checked his service record and the crew list, and find that he is carried on both as Seaman first class. He was advanced in rating from Seaman second class to Seaman first class effective. January 1, 1944. I believe what must have happened was that he wrote you that he had passed the required examinations for the next higher rating, that of Coxswain, and that he expected to be advanced very shortly however, since men were only rated as of the first of each month, he would not actually have been advanced to the rating of Coxswain, until. August 1st. He therefore unfortunately never actually received the higher rating.

I hope this clears up the misunderstanding.

Again may I express my deepest sympathy to you,

Very sincerely,

CHAS. B. MCVAY, III
Captain, U. S. Navy

Mrs. Vera Patterson
332 E. North Street
New Castle, Pennsylvania