Carl Richard Pratt was born on September 13, 1925, to Thomas Fletcher Pratt and Mary Katheryn Katie Rissell in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Carl had a total of fourteen siblings.

Carl was educated at Scott High School and immediately at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on September 13, 1943. He was admitted on December 18, 1943, and began his training as a drill gunner. After completing his training, Carl was assigned to the 790th Bomb Squadron, 467th Bomb Group, which was stationed at RAF Rackheath in England. From here, Carl and his crew flew several missions against Germany.

During Carl's last mission, he managed to leave the aircraft in time. Carl was soon captured and taken to a prisoner-of-war camp, where he served the rest of the war.

After the liberation, Carl returned to America. In 1946, he received his diploma with retroactive effect. In 1950, Carl married Helen Marie Wilson. Together they had three children.

Carl passed away on March 11, 2022, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

Source of information: www.slodrenthe.nl

Source of photo: www.teunispats.nl