NAVY SEAMAN KILLED IN ACTION IN PACIFIC
Merton Leon Pritchett, 21 years old, son of Harley Pritchett of Farrenburg and Audrey Woodward of St. Louis, was killed in action in the South Pacific on Nov. 15, 1942
While serving aboard the USS South Dakota (BB-57), during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Pritchett's battle ship came under fire from the Imperial Japanese Navy. Attacked by at least three destroyers, the USS South Dakota took 26 hits, causing considerable damage and many casualties.
Pritchett, a native of East Prairie, Mo., and a graduate of the high school there, lived with his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. James A. Baker. His grandmother, Mrs. Belle Pritchett , who is now making her home with her daughter Mrs. Paul Presson , took care of him in her home for a long time. He was employed in a clerical job at City Hall in St. Louis.
In April of 1940, Pritchett joined the Navy. He was a seaman first class when he was last home in May. He wrote his mother sometime ago that he had received a promotion, but did not give his new rating.
Relatives received a telegram Tuesday from Mrs. Audrey Woodard of St. Louis that her son, Merton Pritchett, had been killed. He would have been 22 years old next month.
Merton Leon Pritchett, 21 years old, son of Harley Pritchett of Farrenburg and Audrey Woodward of St. Louis, was killed in action in the South Pacific on Nov. 15, 1942
While serving aboard the USS South Dakota (BB-57), during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Pritchett's battle ship came under fire from the Imperial Japanese Navy. Attacked by at least three destroyers, the USS South Dakota took 26 hits, causing considerable damage and many casualties.
Pritchett, a native of East Prairie, Mo., and a graduate of the high school there, lived with his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. James A. Baker. His grandmother, Mrs. Belle Pritchett , who is now making her home with her daughter Mrs. Paul Presson , took care of him in her home for a long time. He was employed in a clerical job at City Hall in St. Louis.
In April of 1940, Pritchett joined the Navy. He was a seaman first class when he was last home in May. He wrote his mother sometime ago that he had received a promotion, but did not give his new rating.
Relatives received a telegram Tuesday from Mrs. Audrey Woodard of St. Louis that her son, Merton Pritchett, had been killed. He would have been 22 years old next month.
NAVY SEAMAN KILLED IN ACTION IN PACIFIC
Merton Leon Pritchett, 21 years old, son of Harley Pritchett of Farrenburg and Audrey Woodward of St. Louis, was killed in action in the South Pacific on Nov. 15, 1942
While serving aboard the USS South Dakota (BB-57), during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Pritchett's battle ship came under fire from the Imperial Japanese Navy. Attacked by at least three destroyers, the USS South Dakota took 26 hits, causing considerable damage and many casualties.
Pritchett, a native of East Prairie, Mo., and a graduate of the high school there, lived with his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. James A. Baker. His grandmother, Mrs. Belle Pritchett , who is now making her home with her daughter Mrs. Paul Presson , took care of him in her home for a long time. He was employed in a clerical job at City Hall in St. Louis.
In April of 1940, Pritchett joined the Navy. He was a seaman first class when he was last home in May. He wrote his mother sometime ago that he had received a promotion, but did not give his new rating.
Relatives received a telegram Tuesday from Mrs. Audrey Woodard of St. Louis that her son, Merton Pritchett, had been killed. He would have been 22 years old next month.
Merton Leon Pritchett, 21 years old, son of Harley Pritchett of Farrenburg and Audrey Woodward of St. Louis, was killed in action in the South Pacific on Nov. 15, 1942
While serving aboard the USS South Dakota (BB-57), during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Pritchett's battle ship came under fire from the Imperial Japanese Navy. Attacked by at least three destroyers, the USS South Dakota took 26 hits, causing considerable damage and many casualties.
Pritchett, a native of East Prairie, Mo., and a graduate of the high school there, lived with his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. James A. Baker. His grandmother, Mrs. Belle Pritchett , who is now making her home with her daughter Mrs. Paul Presson , took care of him in her home for a long time. He was employed in a clerical job at City Hall in St. Louis.
In April of 1940, Pritchett joined the Navy. He was a seaman first class when he was last home in May. He wrote his mother sometime ago that he had received a promotion, but did not give his new rating.
Relatives received a telegram Tuesday from Mrs. Audrey Woodard of St. Louis that her son, Merton Pritchett, had been killed. He would have been 22 years old next month.
Bio by: Joe Day
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Missouri.
Family Members
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