ALL OUR BRAVE SOLDIERS,THEIR FAMILIES, OUR VETERANS, AND THOSE ON MY FRIEND'S LIST.
Marine Tribute, Song written & sung by a Marine
Fred Omar Pratt was born 17 August 1941, was the son of Vern Hose Pratt and Edwin M. Pratt Sr. of Moorefield, WV. He enlisted in the Army on Oct. 13, 1958, and served a tour of duty in Japan and Korea. During his training he was distinguished graduate of Airborne School. He was a Ranger in the 101st Airborne Division Vietnam in 1962. Omar volunteered for Special Forces and returned to the US for training. After winning the Green Beret, he was appointed to Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning GA.Lt. Pratt was elected to the honored position of Council of President of the Battalion and was named distinguished graduate of his class. He then attended the Army's rotary wing school at Fort Walters, Texas, and returned to Vietnam 02 June, 1968 as a helicopter gun ship pilot.The events surrounding his death are as follows:
It was 24 August 1968 in the thick of fighting in DucLop South Vietnam, a Special Forces camp. On that eventful day, 1 LT. Fred Omar Pratt was wounded. He was a gunship pilot in combat with the Green Beret forces at DucLop, which had been surrounded and under siege form the VietCong for more than two weeks. From the award of the Silver Star comes the continuous explanation of events. 1 Lt. Fred Omar Pratt distinguished himself by exceptionally and valorous actions while serving as pilot of a UH-1 Huey helicopter gunship supporting friendly compounds in the vicinity of DucLop that had come under attack by an enemy regiment. Observing a tree line in which large enemy force was concentrated, he began to attack the enemy force; his aircraft sustained numerous hits, wounding him in the face. Undaunted, he continued his fierce attacks until his aircraft was shot down by the intense anti- aircraft fire. Though wounded in the arm and back, 1LT. Fred Omar Pratt survived the crash. The crew of the downed aircraft was immediately taken under fire by enemy mortars and automatic weapons. His concern was for his seriously injured crew chief with him. Gaining access to the outer perimeter of the compound, he again exposed himself to enemy fire to summon aid for his crew. Upon reaching secure area, he gave aid to his wounded crew chief refusing to be treated himself. The events of 26 August 1968 are found as follows taken was the award Announcement of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Although he had been shot down and wounded only days before he insisted that he participate in the mission (the enemy had captured half the camp). Arriving in the area, he began to attack a large enemy force form which he drew heavy fire which shattered his windshield. He responded by immediately placing a devastating volume of fire on the enemy positions. During the fierce exchange of fire, 1 LT Fred Omar Pratt was fatally wounded. His courageous and aggressive response enabled the rest of the crew to escape without serious harm. He received the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and Air Metal with Seven Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart twice, and two of the highest Vietnamese awards for bravery presented by the Vietnamese government. Although he was credited with killing 600 Viet Cong on the day of his death alone.In June of 1974 the US Army dedicated their new Flight Simulator Building at Fort Rucker Alabama in honor of Omar by naming it Pratt Hall. It housed the most sophisticated flight simulating equipment used in training Army aviators. 1 Lt. Fred Omar Pratt left behind a wife and three young sons.