Quick Facts
Biography
Malcolm Lewis Pratt was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, 5 August 1891.
Navy career
World War I
Pratt became Assistant Surgeon with rank of Lieutenant (junior grade), USNRF, 27 March 1917. He received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in reestablishing an advanced aid station just demolished by shell-fire in Lucy-le-Bocage 11 June 1918, and in continuing to dress and evacuate the wounded under direct and continuous shell-fire at Thiancourt 13 September. He resigned from the Navy 13 October 1919.
World War II
On 2 May 1941 he reported for active duty again with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, MC, USNR. Attached to a Marine Division, he was reported missing in action as of 13 August 1942, when he failed to return from a reconnaissance patrol near the village Mantanikau on Guadalcanal.
Namesake
USS Pratt was named in his honor. She was laid down by the Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Texas, 11 April 1944; launched 1 June 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Malcolm L. Pratt; and commissioned 18 September 1944, Comdr. Robert H. Wanless in command.