World War II Honoree
Civilian on the Home Front
William J. Prichard
Hometown
Havertown, Pennsylvania
Honored By
Ralph Bozorth
EXEMPT FROM MILITARY SERVICE DURING WWII BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED HIS CHEMICAL EXPERTISE TO ANALYZE THE ORE THAT WENT INTO THE STEEL FOR THE ARMOR PLATING ON SHIPS BUILT AT THE PHILADELPHIA NAVAL SHIPYARD. HE ALSO WORKED AS A CIVILIAN CHEMIST WITH THE NOW DEFUNCT PENNWALT CHEMICAL COMPANY IN WHITEMARSH AS PART OF THE MANHATTAN PROJECT, RESEARCHING FLUORSPAR, A CHEMICAL USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF URANIUM FUEL.