Vernon Prichard
| Vernon Edwin Prichard | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | "Prich" |
| Born | January 25, 1892 Onawa, Iowa, United States |
| Died | July 10, 1949 (aged 57) Washington, D.C., United States |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1915–1949 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Unit |
 Infantry Branch
|
| Commands held |
27th Field Artillery Regiment 14th Armored Division 1st Armored Division |
| Battles/wars |
Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit |
Major General Vernon Edwin "Prich" Prichard (January 25, 1892 – July 10, 1949) was an American football quarterback and United States Army officer. He played college football with Army and was selected as a first-team All-American in 1914. He became a career officer in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of major general. He was lifelong friends with West Point classmate Dwight D. "Ike" Eisenhower and, during World War II, he commanded the 14th Armored Division in the United States from 1942 to 1944 and the 1st Armored Division from 1944 to 1945 during the Italian Campaign.
A native of Onawa, Iowa, Prichard was the son of attorney J.A. Prichard. The younger Prichard began his education at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he also played football and established a reputation as a passer. In November 1910, while he was a student at Morningside, Prichard received word that he had been appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He enrolled at West Point on June 11, 1911.
While serving as a cadet at West Point, Prichard played for the Academy's football and baseball teams. He gained his greatest fame in football as the quarterback for the Army Black Knights football team from 1912 to 1914. Prichard's teammates on the Army football teams included two of the leading generals of World War II, Omar Bradley, who played at the end position, and Dwight Eisenhower, who played halfback until a knee injury sidelined him.James Van Fleet, commander of U.S. forces in the Korean War, also played on the 1914 West Point football team with Prichard. Although he weighed only 158 pounds, Prichard played every minute of every major game during his three years of varsity football at West Point.
...
Wikipedia