Finding Aid for the T.H. Pritchett Korean War correspondence, photographs, and Second World War materials 2018.166.w.r
Andrew Harman
Center for American War Letters Archives
12/13/2018
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: T.H. Pritchett Korean War correspondence, photographs, and Second World War materials
Creator:
Pritchett, T.H., Lieutenant Colonel, 1915-1988
source:
Pritchett, Sandy
Identifier/Call Number: 2018.166.w.r
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear Feet
(1 document box, 2 flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1941 January 5 - 1981 June 17
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.
Language of Material: One map in Series 5 with German text, and one medal in Series 6 with French text.
Container: Korea 9
Container: 1-8
Container: 1-8
Container: Korea 10
Container: 1-8
Container: 9-16
Container: Pritchett 1
Container: Pritchett 2
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Sandy Pritchett.
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
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.
[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.
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.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War (1939-1945)
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Hospitals -- United States
Korean War, 1950-1953.
Korea (South) -- Pusan
Korean War -- (1950-1953) -- Correspondence
Maps.
World War (1939-1945) -- Photography
Photographs
World War (1939-1945) -- Hospitals
World War (1939-1945) -- Casualties
World War (1939-1945) -- France
War -- Medical aspects
Pritchett, Sandy
Pritchett née Braswell, Edith Bernice, 1921-1992
box Korea 9, folder 1-8, folder 1-8, box Korea 10, folder 1-3, folder 9-11
Series 1, Correspondence 1949 July 29 - 1952 February 10
Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet(6 folders)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 160 letters from LtCol. T.H. Pritchett, USA to his wife Edith Braswell during the Korean War. He addressed
his letters to "Eddee Reedy," with various spellings of the name.
In the beginning of Pritchett's correspondence, he is hoping to come to an "understanding" about their relationship through
the "medium of letters," though he already signs his letters "I love your ruby lips." His feelings for her are a continuous
theme throughout his correspondence.
In July 1949, he heads to Korea aboard the USAT General Walker and crosses the Meridian and discusses the ceremony for that
feat. At this point he has made up his mind to separate from the Army and go to see Edith. In September, he has reached Yokohama,
Japan with the 49th General Hospital, 361st Station and explains his frequent journeys between Tokyo, the town he stays in
called Sapporo, Hokkaido, and the ferry to Honshu to take a railroad trip 744 miles to Yokohama, all of this after previously
being stationed in Osaka. He also mentions that his application for separation has been in for about a month, and that this
was not a quick decision but one that had "been building up for some time" (he remained in the Army for another 12 years).
His correspondence continues into late 1949, writing about his surroundings and daily life and leisure, including the weather
and skiing trips, including a drawing of Japan on September 15, 1949. In that letter he reverses his position on separation
and mentions his desire for advancement. As winter grew closer he continued to write about hating the weather in Hokkaido
and feeling sick. He also mentions his medical station and the status of the orthopedic department.
By the middle of 1950, Pritchett is asking for photographs and is glad that Edith has not "forsaken him" as he grows more
homesick. By January 1951, Pritchett advances to the North and admits that he does not know how long the war will go on. He
also discusses the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and the near destruction of the 1st Marine Division, freezing weather, guerilla
activity, and the UN counteroffensive, Operation Thunderbolt. He continues to discuss the war itself, including Chinese soldiers.
Through 1951 Pritchett writes to Edith about the war (at least what he is allowed to say), General Clark, troop rotation,
politics and possible offensives and communist counteroffensives. He also discusses his anger at the lack of replacements
and his desire to be rotated to Japan, until he finally gets his wish in September 1951 and rotates to Japan, soon to be sent
home. He arrives in Sanger, Texas in October and and by November is stationed at Madigan Army Hospital, Fort Lewis, Washington
(just north of Tacoma, which in December he begins writing in place of Fort Lewis on the return address).
In January, he and Edith married and Pritchett returned to Madigan. The correspondence ends in February 1952.
box Korea 10, folder 4, folder 12, box Pritchett 2
Series 2, Photographs 1943 - 1951
Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet(3 box slots, 1 folder)
Physical Description: The scrapbook and collages were dismantled for space and photographs of their original condition, construction and order are
included.
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 432 black and white photographs from the Second World War and Korean War collected by LtCol. T.H. Pritchett,
USA. Of those photos, 190 were kept in a scrapbook, 80 in a loose stack, 110 in a package mailed to LtCol. Pritchett, 51 taped
together in two collages and a graduation panorama.
The scrapbook photographs display various landscapes and buildings in Germany, Pritchett and his friends, horses, equipment
and tanks during the Second World War. The photographs have been removed from the scrapbook for preservation purposes; photos
of the original order have been added.
The loose stack contains photographs from the Second World War and Korean War which include tanks, Pritchett, beaches, Korean
children, Japan, some photos from the home front, Christmas, and cars including several of a 1949 Cadillac convertible.
The mailed photographs came from Sergeant C.M. Woodstock, United States Army in Neosho, Missouri in July 1951, and they are
numbered X1-X110 with an inventory list. These include photographs from Inchon, Suwon, Seoul, Pusan, Pungsan, Kapsan, Pukchong,
Hungnam, Toksongdong, Yongju, Chechong, Pyongchang, Hadachwa, and Changnam in Korea. They show tanks, downed planes, soldiers,
beaches, jeeps, refugees, Bob Hope, and General Douglas MacArthur.
The two collages consist of Nazi propaganda photo postcards and are numbered, with some in the series missing though they
were taped together in order of what was included. The first group consists of 30 photographs showing a Nazi rally and parade
in the streets of Trier, Germany and Nazi labor and Motor Corps units saluting a man in standing in a car as a processional.
The man appears to be Gustav Simon, the Gauleiter of Trier.
The other collage consists of 21 photographs showing a rally of the Motor Corps at Adolf Huhnlein Stadium, with shots of Huhnlein
inspecting troops. Both collages show images of children and youth participating in the rallies.
The panorama is a graduation photo for Pritchett from Basic Hospital Administration and Supply Course #1, Medical Field Service
School at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. It is dated July 12, 1952. A certificate of this graduation
is included in Series 4, Medals and awards.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Photographs
Korean War, 1950-1953.
Korean War 1950-1953 -- Homefront
Korea (South) -- Pusan
World War (1939-1945)
World War (1939-1945) -- Germany
Christmas
box Korea 10, folder 5, folder 13
Series 3, Military service documents 1945 November 18 - 1971 October 19
Physical Description: 0.075 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains military service documents relating to the service of LtCol. T.H. Pritchett, USA during the Second World
War, Korean War, and his retirement in 1962, as well as application for a civilian position with the Army in 1971. Included
are certificates of service/reports of separation after both wars, veterans benefits documents, a physical examination for
retirement and a qualifications statement for a position with the Army.
box Korea 10, folder 6, folder 14, box Pritchett 1, folder 17, box Pritchett 1, box Pritchett 2
Series 4, Medals and awards 1942 July 20 - 1980 July 15
Physical Description: 1 Linear Feet(1 flat box, 1 box slot)
Physical Description: Caution: Many of the ribbons and devices in this series have sharp edges and pointed pins that may cause harm.
Language of Material: English.
This series contains medals and awards given to LtCol. T.H. Pritchett, USA during and after his service in the United States
Army from 1942 to 1962. Included are his medals, ribbons and other military decorations, as well as citations, certificates
of appreciation, and other documents commending him for his service or civilian work.
His medals include the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with two oak
leaf clusters and a 'V' device for valor, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense
Medal, American Campaign Medal, Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars (one of the ribbons for this includes four bronze
stars), United Nations Service Medal with Korea clasp, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
Also included are ribbons for which no medal is included. These are the European-Africa-Middle East Campaign ribbon with five
bronze stars, the Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory ribbon, the Army of Occupation ribbon, a French Croix de
Guerre with one bronze star, a Metz Liberation Medal, a Medical Combat Badge, and two other ribbons that are unidentified.
There are four patches of these ribbons for uniforms and several loose ribbon duplicates. Also included are rank insignias
and other decorations.
The certificates and citations include promotion certificates to Corporal, Sergeant, Captain (Medical Administrative Corps),
Officer's Reserve Corps Captain, Reserve Commissioned Officer Major, Reserve Commissioned Officer Lieutenant Colonel. Also
included are: one Silver Star Medal citation (plus two photocopies), one Commendation Medal certificate, a certificate of
achievement in the Medical Service Corps in 1958, certificate of training in Plain Letters by the National Archives and Records
Service in 1959, certificate of appreciation in 1962, transfer certificate to the Retired Reserve, certificate of retirement,
Department of the Army certificate of service in 1980 for recognition of 35 years of service, certificates of appreciation
and retirement in a green folder with gold pin (Army insignia with number "35"), 1980, and one certificate honoring the memory
of T.H. Pritchett signed by President Ronald Readan (no date).
Also included is one acrylic desk award with a Combat Infantryman's Badge and 5th Infantry Division diamond. It is engraved:
"Birdsong's Killers, 1945, Zwiesel Germany, T.H. Pritchett."
One certificate for the 33rd Medical Depot, Lineage and Honors, is also included (found inside the frame for the certificate
for the Army Commendation Ribbon.
From the photographs, one certificate was included to this series: Basic Hospital Administration and Supply Course #1, Medical
Field Service School at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. It is dated July 12, 1952.
box Korea 10, folder 7, folder 15
Series 5, Maps 1941 January - 1945
Physical Description: 0.075 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English, German.
This series contains ten maps collected by LtCol. T.H. Pritchett, USA during the Second World War. This includes one basic
map of Zwiesel, Germany and surrounding areas for the occupation force in 1945, one map in German that translates "Tripartite
Pact and the British Empire Around the [Indameer]," January 1941, and one map of Paris in French.
Also included are maps reproduced in 1944 by the 652nd Engineering Top Battalion and 664th Engineering Top Company of France
and Germany, one of the Moselle River.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Maps.
box Korea 10, folder 8, folder 16
Series 6, Memorabilia 1943 December 29 - 1988 December
Physical Description: 0.3 Linear Feet(1 folder, 1 box tray)
Physical Location: These materials are housed in a removable tray in Box 1.
Language of Material: English, French.
This series contains memorabilia from the United States Army collected by LtCol. T.H. Pritchett, USA during his service from
the Second World War through Korea and after. Included are one yearbook for the Medical Administration Corps Officer Candidate
School at the Army Service Forces, Eight Service Command Medical Replacement Training Center in Camp Barkeley, Texas, December
29, 1943, one program from the Festungs Museum Metz, 1944, one magazine, "The Retired Officer," with LtCol. Pritchett listed
in "Taps" section, 1988; as well as pins, patches, dog tags, and medallions. The yearbook includes one graduation program
in the front page.
The patches include one US Army North patch, two Army Service Forces patches, two 8th Army patches, four US Army Europe Communication
Zone Advance Section patches. Also included is one patch with three gold stripes.
The pins include two US Army III Corps pins and one 7th Medical Battalion pin (Semper Serviens). Also included is one green
button with "QA" on it and on US Army insignia for a uniform cover.
Also included in this series is one medallion, bronze, "7 mai 1945, Reims," signifying the German surrender, as well as one
coin with Korean writing from 1948, two uniform buttons, one American Legion pin, one Iron Cross medal with no band, and one
US Military Academy 1981 Lieutenant clip.