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Rest in Peace, Dr. John Pryor

December 29, 2008 6:28 PM

John_pryor_md_2 A sad note about a doctor we spoke to in a recent "Nightline" report.

When we read the words Dr. John Pryor wrote for a Washington Post op-ed piece, we knew he was someone the nation needed to hear. He was a trauma surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, which, due to an unfortunate increase in gun violence, is one of the busiest trauma centers in America. The doctors there treat so many gunshot victims successfully, that it has become a place other doctors go to learn how to treat those kinds of wounds.

We spoke to him about the tragedy of gun violence here, but Dr. Pryor was also known as Major Pryor -- he was in the Army Reserve, and he volunteered to take his expertise in gunshot wounds to the front line, to teach surgeons there how to better care for wounded troops and civilians. 

But on Christmas day in Mosul, while sharing that medical expertise during his second tour of duty in Iraq, Major Pryor was killed by enemy mortar fire.

Pryor's colleagues at Penn, where he served as the trauma program director and a professor of surgery, described him as a "magical man, with boundless energy and goodness," who taught selflessness by example.

In his op-ed piece Dr. Pryor, 42, wrote, "In Iraq, soldiers die for freedom, for honor, for their country and for their buddies. Here in Philadelphia, they die without honor, without purpose, for no country, for no one." 

Dr. Pryor lived, and died, with honor. 

He leaves behind a wife and three children, ages 4, 8, and 10. We offer our deepest sympathy to the Pryor family, and to his bereaved colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania.

December 29, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (21)

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My condolences to family and friends.

Posted by: Oonogil | Dec 29, 2008 7:00:23 PM

A real hero who died for his country. In WWII there were more than 600,000 Americans killed in 4 years and people understood what it took to sacrifice for America. This doctor's sacrifice and that of all the Americans who serve should be honored and remembered by all.

Posted by: Brian | Dec 29, 2008 7:27:15 PM

A real hero who died for his country. In WWII there were more than 600,000 Americans killed in 4 years and people understood what it took to sacrifice for America. This doctor's sacrifice and that of all the Americans who serve should be honored and remembered by all.

Posted by: Brian | Dec 29, 2008 7:27:41 PM

For someone who has been around the military my whole life and witnessed people go and not come back. Thank you to this family, thank you Dr. Pryor for trying to teach our troops what they need to know. My heart goes out to this family. Please know as sad as this is that this war has taken another civilian, us family members will never forget.

Posted by: Debu | Dec 29, 2008 7:31:50 PM

There isn't a damn thing in Iraq worth a single American life or a single American dollar. That doesn't diminish my respect for the good Doctor and his family, but I'm just plain tired of the crap about honor and sacrifice for a place that most Americans can't even find on a map.
.

Posted by: Dutch | Dec 29, 2008 8:04:57 PM

Although we have never me but feel like we have. Our hearts ache with yours & our in prayers are with you! We are truly honored by your Kindness & Humaninty given to our country.

Your neighbors

Posted by: Susan-NEIGHBOR | Dec 29, 2008 8:20:02 PM

RIP Dr Pryor.
My condolences for the family.

Posted by: catleya | Dec 30, 2008 12:21:08 AM

Hey Dutch, what will you fight for? Are you one enjoying the freedoms of this country given to you by us willing to carry your sorry ass. You should be thankful for people like the good doctor. Otherwise, move to another country of your choice since you have such little respect for the US.

Posted by: Bob | Dec 30, 2008 12:33:15 AM

What an incredibly sad story. I don't support this war, but I do support the heroes who choose to participate. What a tragic event for this everyday hero to be taken from this life when he should be able to continue to do such great things. I also would like to extend my sympathy to this family who has lost something so significant, but hopefully you will be at peace knowing your father was also contributing such significant information and knowledge. God Bless you and yours Dr. Pryor -

Posted by: debra ploch | Dec 30, 2008 1:02:41 AM

I feel so his family and friends. He deserved so much better than to die in a war that is a sham.

Posted by: Linda | Dec 30, 2008 1:14:36 AM

reality check. - The soldiers in Iraq died for Israel and oil. Of course, most of them never knew it because ABC thinks britney spears is more 'news worthy' than what Zionists like Rahm Emanuel do to get their positions in Bush and Ocrapa's cabinets.

Posted by: Tor | Dec 30, 2008 2:21:46 AM

Dr. Pryor was a wonderful human being. If one wish could be granted to me, it is that he would have stayed in PA doing his great work. That way, we might still have him.

Posted by: Beto | Dec 30, 2008 4:06:40 AM

My heartfelt sympathies to Dr. Pryor's wife, children, parents, siblings, and colleagues at Penn. What an incredible guy. What selfless and honorable service. And what a heartbreaking loss. May you rest in peace, Dr. Pryor. Thank you for your service to our great nation.

Posted by: Kellybelle22 | Dec 30, 2008 5:28:54 AM

Carmela and Children,

So sorry for this tradegy. Even though we never met John, all we hear was that he was a wonderful and caring person. Our deepest sympathy to you, your children and to John's family. He will be a hero in heaven as he was here on earth. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Joseph and Lina Marino and family.

Posted by: JOSEPH + LINA MARINO | Dec 30, 2008 8:04:57 AM

Carmela and Children, so sorry for this tradegy. Even though we never met John, all we hear was that he was a wonderful and caring person. Our deepest sympathy to you, your children and to Johns family. He will be a hero in heaven as he was here on earth. Always in our thougths and prayers. Joseph and Lina Marino and family.

Posted by: Joseph and Lina Marino | Dec 30, 2008 8:47:44 AM

I was fortunate enough to work with Dr. Pryor at the Hosp of the Univ of Penn and words cannot describe his love and passion and for life. He was an extraordinary surgeon and an even more extraordinary man. Univ of Penn will never be the same. My heart goes out to his beautiful family, and I ask God to give them strength and faith to get through these unbelievable hard times.

Posted by: Gina | Dec 30, 2008 7:55:08 PM

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Posted by: sarah | Dec 30, 2008 9:25:36 PM

What a tragedy that wsuch a gifted person should be brought down by unfriendly fire. Our hearts go out to the family and friends and the university that will never be the same again. By strange coincidence, our grand nephew caught a slug in his lifesaving kevlar helmut in Mosul a few years ago. He lives to tell about it, but he is disabled. War is a terrible thing. An unjustified war is an abhorrant thing.--U.S. Navy and Peace Corps Vet.

Posted by: S. Gene & Rose A. Prell | Dec 30, 2008 10:50:37 PM

Tor,

Your ignorance is frightening and I'm sure your place and status in life is reflective thereof. It's embarrassing that you choose this forum to air such grievances. My heart goes out to the doctor's family. A tragic loss but that man is a hero.

Posted by: aj202 | Dec 30, 2008 11:29:14 PM

I too, share your same heartache. My
son, served his country for 13 years as
a US Navy Seal and was KIA in
Afghanistan during his 3rd tour. Where
would we be without these patriots of
America? Every soldier is so special and
deserves the respect and honor from every American citizen. Support the families of the fallen and God bless all the children as they struggle thru
this traumatic experience. My prayers are with you. Judi, Gold Star Mom

Posted by: Judi Tapper | Jan 1, 2009 8:22:45 AM

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