The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Richard Chester Pratt, who died in the service of his country on April 25th, 1967 in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Multi-Frag. At the time of his death Richard was 21 years of age. He was from San Francisco, California. Richard is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 18E, Line 87.
The decorations earned by PFC Richard Chester Pratt include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Richard is Buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery.
(His BSV Citation)
Award of The Bronze Star Medal For Heroism
For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 April 1967 Private First Class Pratt distinguished himself while serving as a Rifleman in B, 1/35th Infantry, conducting a search and destroy operation near Duc Pho. When another unit made contact with an estimated company of enemy troops in a small village, Company B moved to its support. As Company B approached the village, it began receiving heavy automatic weapons fire and Private First Class Pratt's platoon was pinned down. When he noticed that one of the platoon's machine gunners was wounded, he exposed himself to the intense hostile fire to go to his aid. Reaching the man's position, he took over the machine gun and began placing a heavy volume of fire on the enemy positions while others moved the stricken man to the rear. Private First Class Pratt remained in position after the wounded man had been evacuated and provided covering fire for the rest of the platoon as it began to advance. He was mortally wounded shortly thereafter, but his heroic actions had been indispensable to the success of the platoon's mission. Private First Class Pratt's personal bravery nad devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect greta credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
|
