T.H. Pritchett Korean War correspondence, photographs, and Second World War materials, 1941 January 5 - 1981 June 17

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Pritchett, T.H., Lieutenant Colonel, 1915-1988 and Pritchett, Sandy
Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence, photographs and other materials from the service of LtCol. T.H. Pritchett, USA, during the Second World War, Korean War, and the remainder of his service until retirement in 1962. Included in the collection are correspondence from the Korean War, photographs, medals and ribbons, award certificates, maps, and military documents, as well as various memorabilia.
Extent:
2.5 Linear Feet (1 document box, 2 flat boxes)
Language:
One map in Series 5 with German text, and one medal in Series 6 with French text.
Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], T.H. Pritchett Korean War correspondence, photographs, and Second World War materials (2018.166.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains materials from the service of LtCol. T.H. Pritchett, USA during the Second World War, Korean War, and the remainder of his service until retirement in 1962. Included in the collection are correspondence from the Korean War, photographs, medals and ribbons, award certificates, maps, and military documents.

Biographical / historical:

Lieutenant Colonel T.H. Pritchett, United States Army (2/24/1915 - 8/21/1988) was born in McKinney, Texas and lived in Sanger in Denton County with his mother Leddie, and his sister Virginia (who was head of the household according to the 1940 census) when he enlisted on February 5, 1942. He trained with Company C, 55th Medical Training Battalion at the Medical Replacement Training Center at Camp Barkeley, Texas where he was promoted first to Corporal and then Sergeant.

He finished training and earned the rank of First Lieutenant by the time he also earned the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action in Dornot, France in September 1944. During the war he served with the medical detachment of 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, "Birdsong's Killers," and aided in the liberation of Metz in France and earned the Combat Medical Badge, which he later had upgraded to a Bronze Star Medal. As part of the occupation, he served in Zweisel, Germany and Vitry le Francois with the Theater Area Support Command, European Communication Zone.

Pritchett was separated from the Army after the war and very quickly reenlisted on June 20, 1946. He then served in the Korean War in several areas including Inchon and Pusan and continued to earn commendations for heroism with the 7th Medical Battalion, 7th Infantry Division which was cited for the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions from September 1950 to March 1951. After the war he was commissioned a Reserve Officer and earned the ranks of Captain in 1952 and Major in 1955, eventually reaching Lieutenant Colonel just before retiring in 1962.

While overseas in both conflicts he wrote to Edith Bernice Braswell (10/23/1921 - 5/14/1992) of Jacksonville, Florida, to whom he addressed his letters "Eddee Reedy". She lived in San Francisco throughout the Korean War and they married on January 19, 1952 in California. The record of their marriage lists her name as both Edith Braswell and Edith Reedy (Ancestry.com).

LtCol. Pritchett continued earning honors and appreciation awards until his retirement from the Army, and after as he worked as a civilian with the Directorate of Quality at Sharpe Army Depot in Lathrop, California.

LtCol. Pritchett passed away in California in August 1988 and is buried at San Francisco National Cemetary.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Sandy Pritchett.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type:

  • Series 1, Correspondence
  • Series 2, Photographs
  • Series 3, Military service documents
  • Series 4, Medals and awards
  • Series 5, Maps
  • Series 6, Memorabilia

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.

Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], T.H. Pritchett Korean War correspondence, photographs, and Second World War materials (2018.166.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Contact:
(714) 532-7716
privette@chapman.edu
Website