Sergeant Patrick C. Hawkins was born and raised in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the son of Roy and Sheila Hawkins. Family and friends remember a husband, son, friend and Ranger who lived with selflessness, courage and a quick wit.
Patrick enlisted in the U.S. Army from his hometown in February 2010. He completed One Station Unit Training as an infantryman and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, then passed the rigorous Ranger Assessment and Selection Program. In September 2010 he joined Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served as a rifleman, gun team leader and Ranger team leader as a member of the Army’s premier direct-action raid force.
Patrick deployed to Afghanistan four times. His quick thinking showed even in the small moments of deployment life. On his first tour, he and fellow Ranger Luke Ryan discovered a stash of their favorite citrus energy drinks “shining” under a warehouse light and took two cases for the squad. When they returned the next day for more, they were caught by a first sergeant and a colonel. Thinking fast, Patrick explained that they were “just getting familiar with the base.” The leaders accepted the explanation and even warned them to watch out for thieves.
On October 6, 2013, during combat operations in the Zhari district of Kandahar Province, Patrick was killed by an improvised explosive device while moving to aid a wounded Ranger. He was 25. Three other Americans died in the same attack: Private First Class Cody Patterson of his own company, First Lieutenant Jennifer Moreno and Sergeant Joseph Peters. Patrick was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his actions that day, along with the Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart. He had also earned the Ranger Tab and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
At a memorial at Fort Benning, his company commander said that Patrick and Cody had both refused to leave a fallen comrade and had lived the Ranger Creed “to the letter until Pat and Cody’s final moments.” His friend Sergeant Luke Ryan said, “I often see a regiment turn regular boys into great men, but Patrick Hawkins was that rare breed of man that makes this regiment great.” He is survived by his wife, Brittanie, and his parents, Roy and Sheila Hawkins.
As a Ranger, Patrick selflessly lived his life for others and fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation.
3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Tribute
Sources
- U.S. Army: Fallen Rangers honored at memorial ceremony
- Stars and Stripes: Army Rangers among 4 killed in Afghanistan; 2 awarded Bronze Star
- PennLive: Army Ranger from Carlisle killed in Afghanistan while aiding a wounded comrade
- Daily Local: Fallen Rangers posthumously awarded Bronze Star
- Family-provided records on file with MVF: Patrick Hawkins bio
