Captain Partridge was a pilot of a RF-51D Mustang night fighter with the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. On 10 August 1952, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on 31 December 1953. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Captain Partridge was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.