J. N. Pratt

A communication from the U. S. War Department states that LT. J. N. Pratt son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Newton Pratt of Pocahontas was lost in action and died on August 4, 1943 at an unannounced place somewhere in foreign service. He was a pilot of heavy bombing fortresses with the US Army Air Forces. Lt Pratt had completed more than half of his fifty bombing missions, a quota required of fortress pilots, and had recently written, that he expected, after he completed these missions, to return to the United States. His record as a pilot of heavy bombers was not generally known here since he had been very modest about his skill. Recently he had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Oak Leaf Cluster for his bravery in action over enemy territory. It may never be known just how much this fearless pilot contributed to the freedom of his country, but the fact that he had been sent on dangerous missions and had earned these distinguished citations, prove beyond a doubt that his sacrifice was given only after he had proved himself one of the Nations best. Lt. Pratt was born in Pocahontas on June 15, 1920 and was a graduate of Pocahontas High School. He attended Jonesboro State College and later Arkansas Tech at Russelville. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in Jan. 1941 and served several months in Alaska. He received his wings and commision at Victorville, Calif. after having been sent back to the states for training. He was stationed at Boise, Idaho and Walla Walla, Wa. before going overseas. He is survived by his wife, Betty J. Carroll-Pratt, of Boise, Idaho; his parents J.N. and Mary Bates-Pratt of Pocahontas, Arkansas; four brothers Hershell, Lee Benton, and David of Pocahontas, and Sgt Mendon Pratt now in service in Alaska: two sisters Mrs. W. B. Proctor of Wynne, Arkansas and Mary Carolyn Pratt of Pocahontas. The family here has received no detailed information regarding the nature of Lt Pratt's untimely death, but is awaiting further details from the War Department.