Local man, father dies serving in Iraq

Despite concerns, Daniel Pratt wanted to answer a call to duty, his wife said.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- A local soldier who wanted to serve in Iraq for his country and family died there Thursday, the military said.
The cause of Sgt. 1st Class Daniel J. Pratt's death in An Nasiriyah was not combat-related, said his wife, Linda, of Shadow Oak Drive. The military has said Pratt's death is under investigation.
Pratt, 48, served for more than 16 years in the Ohio National Guard, most recently as part of the Army National Guard's 211th Maintenance Co. in Newark, Ohio. He had been in Iraq for about a year, Linda Pratt said.
While there, Pratt was responsible for a support group of about 13 or 14 soldiers, his wife said. His work included being part of a recovery and repair mission where he fixed armored vehicles that broke down, she said, adding that there was a lot about his job he was unable to discuss.
Linda Pratt said she had concerns about her husband's safety but that he wanted to answer a call to service.
"He was prepared and ready to serve," she said. "He was very positive and willing to do whatever was asked of him. He always gave 110 percent and had such goodness to him."
Linda Pratt said that the last time she saw her husband was in June, when their 18-year-old son, Danny, graduated from Ursuline High School. Pratt was supposed to come home on leave in about five weeks, she added.
Besides their son, the Pratts have a daughter, Lindsey, 11, a pupil at St. Christine's in Youngstown.
Pratt also leaves three sisters and two brothers. Four siblings live in New Jersey; the fifth lives in South Carolina, Linda Pratt said. His parents are deceased.
Pratt will receive a full military burial, his wife said. Funeral arrangements are pending.