World War II Honoree

John A. Pritchard, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

Burbank, California

Honored By

Nancy Pritchard Morgan

Relationship

Sister

HE GRADUATED FROM THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY IN 1938. IN 1942, AS THE PILOT OF A GRUMMAN J2F-4 SINGLE ENGINE AMPHIBIOUS PLANE, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO COAST GUARD CUTTER NORTHLAND IN THE ATLANTIC TO CONDUCT WAR-TIME PATROLS IN THE WATERS OFF GREENLAND. WHEN A UNITED STATES AIR FORCE B-17 BOMBER CRASHED ON GREENLAND AND THE CREW SURVIVED BUT WAS MAROONED ON THE TUNDRA, HE AND HIS RADIOMAN LAUNCHED THEIR PLANE FROM THE DECK OF THE CUTTER, LANDED ON THE ICE CAP, AND RETURNED TO THE NORTHLAND WITH TWO OF THE SURVIVORS. THE NEXT DAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1942, HE AND HIS RADIOMAN RETURNED TO THE ICE CAP TO PICK UP ANOTHER SURVIVOR. AFTER PICKING UP THE SURVIVOR, THE PATROL PLANE CRASHED DURING TAKEOFF, KILLING ALL THREE MEN. HE WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE NAVY-MARINE CORP MEDAL, AND THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY HALL OF HEROES PLAQUE.