Rolland Eugene Pryor (1944)
PRYOR, DEVAULT
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 8/1/2006 at 08:54:33
Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, August 31, 1944Rolland Eugene Pryor, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Pryor, was born on the home farm near Earlham, Iowa, March 7, 1925. He attended school in Earlham, graduating with the class of 1943.
Having enlisted in the U.S. Marines February 27, 1943, he entered the service May 8, the day following his graduation. After a few months training at San Diego, California, he was sent overseas, to the South Pacific area, in October last year. Later he had service in the Southwest Pacific and more recently in the Central Pacific area. He had been advanced to the rank of Private 1st Class.
On Tuesday, August 15, a message came to his parents from the War Department stating that Rolland had been killed in action. The death occurred at Guam, July 21st.
He is survived by his parents, Clarence and Lora Pryor of Earlham; one sister, Mrs. Mildred DeVault and her husband, Cpl. Marion C. DeVault who is in the U.S. Army, stationed at Toole, Utah; one brother, Ivan, Baker 1st Class in the U.S. Navy, now in the Central Pacific; and his wife, Darlene and little daughter, Norma Jean; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Pryor of Stuart, Iowa, and other relatives and friends.
________________________Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, October 6, 1949MILITARY FUNERAL FOR ROLLAND PRYOR SUNDAY
Funeral services will be held for Pfc. Rolland E. Pryor at the Earlham Friends church, Sunday, October 9 at 2:30 p.m.
Ministers in charge will be Rev. Arthur Hadley and Rev. S. R. Overholser. The casket bearers are Richard Leeper, Marvin Schafer, Richard Conaway, Earl Anker, Franklin Mapes and Alfred Dunmire.
The flower committee is Fonda Jackson, Hazel Reinert, Elsie Piatt and Bessie Clampitt. The singers will be Mrs. Earl Ander, Mrs. Von Fletcher, W. C. Price and Mervyn McLennan.
The Earlham American Legion will have charge of the funeral and a group of the members will meet the train when the remains arrive Friday night.
Rolland Pryor was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Pryor and was killed in action on Guam, July 21, 1944.
Burial will be in the Earlham cemetery.
________________________Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, October 13, 1949Rolland Pryor Funeral Was Held Sunday
Last rites for PFC Rolland E. Pryor, who was killed in action with the U.S. Marine Corps on the island of Guam in 1944, were held at Earlham Friends church Sunday afternoon with Rev. Arthur Hadley and Rev. S. R. Overholser in charge. During the services at the church the casket containing the remains of Private Pryor was guarded by Marine Sergeant Carl Greeson who accompanied the body here and by Arthur Mohler who served in the Marine Corp during the war.
Earlham American Legion Post No. 158 provided a military escort from the church to the Earlham cemetery and conducted graveside services. Taking part in the services were Post Commander Carl Peterson, Vice Commanders Charles Fry and Ronald Fenn, Chaplain Albert Beals and Adjutant Orie L. Jones, Jr. Amor Routh and Bud Land were color bearers and color guards were H. Claude Peer and Don Carr. The firing squad, led by Carl Zeliadt, included: Myron DeVore, Bill Fetters, Lyle Cook, George Martin, Ed Smith, Ted Anthony, Mervyn Armstrong and Arthur Mohler. The flag which had been draped over the casket was presented to the family by Sgt. Greeson. Bruce Beals and Betty Wilkie sounded taps. Other members of the Legion Post attended the services in a body.
OBITUARY
Rolland Eugene Pryor, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Pryor was born on the farm near Earlham, Iowa, March 7, 1925. He attended schools in Earlham, graduating with the class of 1943. Having enlisted in the U.S. Marines February 27, 1943, he entered the service May 8, the day following his graduation. After a few months of basic training at San Diego, California, he returned home for three days leave in July, which he spent with relatives and friends.
He returned to California and received additional training before leaving for overseas on October 28, 1943, aboard the U.S.S. Rochambeau, landing at New Caledonia on November 15th. He was then sent to Guadalcanal aboard the U.S.S. Bloomfountaine. In February he underwent an operation and it was not until sometime in April that he was able to return to camp where the 22nd Regiment had joined the 4th Marines and formed the First Provisional Marine Brigade.
He left aboard L.S.T. 481 for Guam on May 29, 1944. But due to the heavy losses of American soldiers at Saipan, they held them in reserve in case they were needed. They were attacked several times by Japanese planes, but none of the ships were hit. Finally orders for the convoy came and they landed July 21st at Guam.
It was during the first day of the attack on Guam, July 21, 1944, that Rolland lost his life, as the Marines were seizing Mt. Alifan, an important height. Rolland matched himself for the hour and was not found wanting. God opened the door for him into a larger life.
He is survived by his parents, Clarence and Lora Pryor, one brother, Ivan Pryor, one sister, Mildred DeVault, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Pryor, three nieces, and other relatives and friends.
Gravesite
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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