Gerad Patton was born on May 28, 1991, in Springfield, Illinois. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on August 2, 2010, and completed basic training at MCRD San Diego, California, in November 2010. PFC Patton reported to the School Infantry West at Camp Pendleton, California, for Marine Combat Training in November 2010, and then to Twenty-Nine Palms, California, for Military Occupational Specialty training as a 7236 Air Control Electronics Operator (later renamed Tactical Air Defense Controller). PFC Patton was trained to troubleshoot and operate tactical date link equipment, classify and identify aircraft using RADAR, and procedurally and positively control aircraft. After completing MOS training in May 2011, he reported to the Operations Section, Tactical Air Operations Center, Marine Air Control Squadron 2 at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, and immediately deployed to Afghanistan, where he served as the unit's armory Custodian, Armory NCOIC, and was promoted to Corporal in March 2012. Cpl Patton returned to the Tactical Air Operations Center at MCAS Cherry Point in April 2012 to train as a Fire Team Leader, and then deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, from January to July 2013. His next assignment was as Tactical Air Operations Center Detachment Clerk at MCAS Cherry Point from July 2013 to March 2014, followed by service as the Tactical Air Operations Center Operations Section Crew 1 Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge from April to August 2014, receiving promotion to Sergeant in April of that year. SSgt Patton served as a Missile Warning Center Technician, as a Crew Chief, and then as a Command Staff aide to both the J7 and J3 at the Missile Warning Center, Joint Functional Component for Space, U.S. Strategic Command at Cheyenne Mountain Complex Air Force Station, Colorado, from August 2014 to August 2017. During this time, he was selected as Marine of the Year in his command in April 2017, and he was promoted to Staff Sergeant in May 2017. His next assignment was as Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Operations Section, Tactical Air Operations Center with Marine Air Control Squadron 4 at MCAS Futenma on Okinawa, Japan, from August 2017 to August 2019, followed by service with the Operations Section of the Tactical Air Operations Center with Marine Air Control Squadron 1 at Yuma, Arizona, from August 2019 to May 2020. SSgt Patton served as the Interface Control Cell Chief with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed to Africa and the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from May 2020 to May 2021, and he then served with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, from May 2021 until his honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps on November 19, 2022. During this time he was selected to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, but denied the promotion to leave the Marine Corps to pursue his dreams of a career in systems engineering as a Civilian Contractor to the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy. While on active duty, he was also awarded the 2020 Copernicus Award and the 2021 Expeditionary Warfare Excellence Award.

His 2nd Joint Service Commendation Medal Citation reads:

Staff Sergeant Gerad K. Patton, United States Marine Corps, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service in various positions culminating as Staff Non-commissioned Officer in Charge of Standardization and Procedures, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, Missile Warning Center, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado, from August 2014 to July 2017. During this period, Staff Sergeant Patton wrote comprehensive United States Strategic Command and Missile Warning Center instructions and procedures, reduced setup time by 33 percent at the Alternate Missile Warning Center, corrected equipment issues and provided timely theater missile warning to Combatant Commanders. HIs actions directly impacted the ability to provide accurate strategic missile warning to the Director, North American Aerospace Defense Command for over 915 missile events from two geographically separated operations centers. As acting senior Marine, he advised leadership on the development of assigned enlisted Marines. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Patton reflect credit upon himself, the United States Strategic Command, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.