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Richard
Rockwell
Pratt
October 17, 1914

–

May 25, 2006

Richard Pratt graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1936. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hudson (DD-475)

    Action Date:

    April 1 – May 5, 1945
    Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific: Serial 02516 (September 26, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Richard Rockwell Pratt (NSN: 0-77114), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. HUDSON (DD-475), during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, from April 1 to 5 May 1945. With the HUDSON operating as fighter director ship on radar picket station, Commander Pratt fought his ship with outstanding skill and courage during a prolonged period of time while subjected to numerous day and night aerial attacks. On one occasion, when seventeen suicide planes attacked his vessel, he heroically directed his men in repelling the onslaught, thereby averting damage to the vessel and maintaining the HUDSON in operation at a most critical time. By his aggressive leadership, perseverance and devotion to duty, he contributed materially to the safety of our forces ashore, and his gallant conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    July 1968 – April 1969

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Richard Rockwell Pratt (NSN: 0-77114), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1968 to April 1969 as Commander Amphibious Training Command, United States Pacific Fleet. While providing the best possible training for the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Forces during this period, Rear Admiral Pratt played a primary role in maintaining the highest quality of training in support of the Navy’s commitment in Southeast Asia and, in particular, that training for River Patrol Boat and Swift Forces engaged in MARKET TIME and GAME WARDEN Operations, and the Mobile Riverine Forces. Through his initiative and knowledge acquired by first-hand observation, he quickly foresaw the changing operational tactics in-country, and designed the training programs to reflect the most current requirements. Further, Rear Admiral Pratt molded the many diversified units under his command — units such as Underwater Demolition Teams, SEALs, Beachmasters, Amphibious Construction Battalions, and the many Amphibious Schools connected therewith — into a homogeneous team with an exceptionally high degree of esprit de corps. In December 1968, as a member of the Court of Inquiry convened to investigate the U.S.S. PUEBLO incident, Rear Admiral Pratt was assigned the task of developing plans for the conduct of the Court at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado. The many logistics requirements and detailed arrangements for this activity were carried out flawlessly. Rear Admiral Pratt’s exemplary performance reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    July 1965 – July 1968
    All Hands (November 1968)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Richard Rockwell Pratt (NSN: 0-77114), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1965 to July 1968, as the Director, Communications-Electronics (J-6), and concurrently as Chief, Defense Communications Agency, Europe (DCA-Europe), U.S. European Command (HQ-USEUCOM), from January to July 1968.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hudson (DD-475)

    Action Date:

    April 4, 1945
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 002740 (June 16, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Richard Rockwell Pratt (NSN: 0-77114), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HUDSON (DD-475) in action against an enemy Japanese submarine in the Pacific War Area on 4 April 1945. Making the contact while his ship was on a patrol station, Commander Pratt quickly closed the target and launched an aggressive attack. Thereafter, for a period of about four hours, he effectively countered every attempt by the enemy to escape, maintained contact and delivered repeated attacks until a violent underwater explosion, with a resultant oil slick and the presence of debris, indicated the probable destruction of the hostile vessel. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Pratt is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hudson (DD-475)

    Action Date:

    March 30, 1944 – July 20, 1944
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 0703 (January 25, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Richard Rockwell Pratt (NSN: 0-77114), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. HUDSON (DD-475), in action against enemy Japanese-held Guam, on 20 July 1944; the Palau Islands from 30 March to 1 April 1944; and during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, in June 1944. Handling his ship with skill and courage, Commander Pratt contributed greatly to the subsequent success of these operations. His conduct and leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hudson (DD-475)

    Action Date:

    May 4, 1945
    Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific: Serial 03033 (November 9, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Richard Rockwell Pratt (NSN: 0-77114), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. HUDSON (DD-475) during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa Gunto on 4 May 1945. When a nearby friendly escort aircraft carrier was set afire by a Japanese suicide plane, causing numerous explosions, intense heat and suffocating smoke, Commander Pratt placed his destroyer alongside the maneuvering and blazing vessel. Despite fires aboard his own ship when a jettisoned plane ignited among the depth charges, he continued to assist the flaming carrier and contributed materially to the extinguishing of the flames and to saving the stricken ship. By his leadership, courage and devotion to duty, Commander Pratt upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    April 1969 – May 1971
    Board Serial 719 (May 25, 1971)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Richard Rockwell Pratt (NSN: 0-77114), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Service Force, United States Atlantic Fleet, during the period April 1969 to May 1971. An outstandingly competent and resourceful leader, Rear Admiral Pratt was responsible for providing mobile logistics support to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and to the U.S. Naval Forces in the European Command and in the Middle East. The high state of readiness of these forces is indicative of his professionalism and excellent leadership manifested in, among other achievements, the development of innovative employment concepts to best realize the capabilities of new classes of multi-commodity Service Force ships and their advanced cargo transfer systems. Rear Admiral Pratt’s effective planning and executive talents contributed materially to the smooth development and execution of Atlantic Fleet Construction Battalion plans for initiation of the construction of a U.S. Naval communication facility on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. He also planned and directed deep water recoveries, numerous salvage operations, including SUBSALVEX I, and disaster relief operations in Mississippi, Virginia and Texas. In the face of decreasing resources, the ships, units and personnel under the expert guidance and direction of Rear Admiral Pratt not only provided undiminished support to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, but succeeded in furnishing additional and improved services. By his exemplary performance of duty, Rear Admiral Pratt reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.