AT MACON, GA.
Cochran Field, Macon, Ga. -- Aviation Cadet Richard A. Pratt, son of Clarence A. Pratt, R.F.D. 2, Lohrville, has just arrived at this army airfield, the facilities of which are devoted to secondary phase of flight instruction. From here, the men are sent to advanced schools in pursuit and bombardment.
Source: Carroll Daily Times Herald, September 11, 1943
Lt. Richard Pratt Memorial Service Held at Lanesboro
Lanesboro (THNS) -- A memorial service was held at Lanesboro Sunday for Second Lt. Richard Allan Pratt, who was killed some time after he left his base in England on a weather reconnaissance June 9, 1944, from which he never returned.
The Lake City American Legion post attended the service in a body, Albert Lovett, a Legion member presented the flag to Lieutenant Pratt's mother. Taps were played at the close of the services.
Lt. Pratt was born at Eddyville March 16, 1923. When he was 10 weeks old, Clarence and Cora Pratt adopted him from the American Home Finding association of Ottumwa, where he and two brothers had been placed after their mother's death.
He was graduated from the Lanesboro high school in 1940 and then attended an airplane mechanic's school at Lincoln, Neb. He worked at the Bell Aircraft corporation in Buffalo, N.Y. and later in a defense plant at Laurens, Iowa.
Lieutenant Pratt enlisted in the air corps in September 1942. After finishing an army mechanics course, he was trained as a pilot receiving his wings and commission at Spence field, Moultrie, Ga., Jan. 7, 1944. He arrived in England May 21, 1944. He took part of the invasion of France with the 8th air force.
Lieutenant Pratt is survived by his foster parents; a brother, Clayton, now serving with the army in the Pacific, and a foster sister, Muriel Darling, of Chicago.
Another brother, Euclid, died in the orphan's home.
Source: Carroll Daily Times Herald, June 27, 1945
Richard Allen “Dick" Pratt was born Mar. 16, 1923 and was adopted by Clarence A. and Cora May Reed Pratt. He died June 9, 1944/FOD June 10, 1945 and is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery, Coton, England.
2nd Lt. Pratt served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 328th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com
