Date of birth:

January 8th, 1925 (Elmira/New York, United States)

Date of death:

February 10th, 2006

Nationality:

American (1776 - present, Republic)

Gordon Clark Pryne, was born in Elmira, New York on 8th January 1925 as son of Claude and Dorothy C. Pryne. He moved with his family to California three years later. Pryne enlisted in US Army on 29 March 1943 in Los Angeles, California. He parachuted into France on D-Day, 6th June 1944. In July he was one of several men awarded the DSC by Gen. Omar Bradley for their actions on D-Day. Gordon Pryne and Pvt. Marcus Helm destroyed three German tanks with their bazooka and helped to hold a vital bridge near Ste. Mere-Eglise. Later Gordon Pryne took part in Market Garden in Holland. He was wounded there when a building collapsed on him and was sent back to England for medical treatment and later returned to his unit. Following he was directed into Belgium and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US on 19th March 1945 aboard the Queen Elizabeth.

After his return Gordon Pryne worked for many years for LA Water and Power. His first wife Barbara died in 1974. He remarried and his second wife Mary died in 1999. Gordon Pryne had two daughters, he himself died on 10th February 2006.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class

Unit:

Company A, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation:
"Private First Class Gordon Pryne, 505th Parachute Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism against the enemy on 6 June 1944, in France. Private First Class Pryne was stationed at the end of a bridge over the Merderet River as a rocketeer to repel attacks by enemy troops who controlled the other end of the bridge. This position was subject to incessant enemy rifle, machine gun, mortar, and artillery fire. After an artillery preparation, the enemy sent an assault force supported by three tanks over the bridge. Though part of the troops withdrew, Private First Class Pryne remained at his position until the enemy tanks approached within thirty yards. In spite of the intense fire, Private First Class Pryne rose from his position and fired rockets into the three tanks. The courage, devotion to duty and daring displayed by Private First Class Pryne reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. Entered military service from California."

• - Nordyke, P., Four Stars of Valor - The Combat History of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II, Zenith Press, St. Paul, USA, 2006
  - Murphy, R.M., No Better Place to Die, The Battle for La Fière Bridge, Ste. Mère-Eglise, June 1944, Casemate Publishers, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, USA, 2009
  - allamerican82nd.com