Patterson Award

The Army’s outstanding Officer Candidate School graduate for 2008 will be presented the Patterson Award March 26 at 7 p.m. at the Fort Benning Conference Center.
This year’s Patterson Award winner is 2nd Lt. Kerry L. Zanders Jr.
Zanders is a native of Detroit, MI, and joined the Army in July 1999. After attaining the rank of sergeant first class, he attended and graduated from Officer Candidate School. He was the Distinguished Honor Graduate for his class and was commissioned as an infantry officer in 2007.
Zanders is a veteran of campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. His awards and decorations include a Bronze Star with bronze oak leaf, Army Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf, Afghanistan and Iraq campaign medals, 75th Regiment affiliation, combat infantryman’s badge and Parachutist and Senior Parachutist badges as well as parachutist badges from Czechoslovakia and Australia.
He is currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree from Columbus State University. He is a company executive officer with the 197th Infantry Regiment.
Zanders and his wife Angela are the parents of three children.
The Patterson Award was established in 1952 and is based on accomplishments in leadership, academics, aptitude and character. Only one outstanding student is presented this prestigious award each year.
The award is named for Capt. Robert P. Patterson, who served as the Secretary of War during the Truman administration. A judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Patterson earned a Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart during World War II.