John P. Pryor

Died: December 25, 2008

Rank: Major

Unit: 1st Medical Detachment, Forward Surgical Team

Branch: U.S. Army

United States Army Reserve Major and Medical Corps Officer Dr. John P. “JP” Pryor died on December 25, 2008, of wounds incurred when a single mortar round hit his quarters in Mosul, Iraq. He served as a physician in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Major Pryor at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, followed by burial in Colestown Cemetery in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The interment took place on January 5, 2009, with full military honors. Before his final deployment, Major Pryor organized his own funeral rites, chose music to be played at the service, selected a casket, and composed his obituary to mitigate his family’s burden in the event of his death.