The 43rd Signal
Construction Battalion was activated at Camp
Crowder, Missouri on 7 February 1944, were it
underwent training for a period of five months.
On 7 July 1944, the 43rd left Camp Crowder.
After a brief stay at Camp Shanks, the Battalion
left New York on the Queen Elizabeth on 15 July
1944. The 43rd arrived in Gourock, Scotland on
21 July 1944. They arrived on Utah Beach on 9
August 1944. In France the 43rd became assigned
to the special troops of the 12th Army Group,
under the Third Army. From that time until 9 May
1945, the Battalion was chiefly occupied with
building signal lines to connect the 12th Army
Group Headquarters with the Third Army
Headquarters.
From 9 May 1945
to 7 July 1945, the 43rd continued construction
lines connecting major American occupation
units.
George Pruitt
had been awarded the Soldier's Medal for
"distinguishing himself by heroism not involving
actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree
of heroism is required as for the award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross. The performance must
have involved personal hazard or danger and the
voluntary risk of life under conditions not
involving conflict with an armed enemy."
George Pruitt died on June 10, 1945 of causes
unrelated to combat. During this incident at
least one other soldier, T4 Leroy Kemp, was also
killed.
T4 George H.
Pruit is buried at
Margraten American Military Cemetery, Plot L Row
4 Grave 4.
