Name: Walter Matthew PRIOR
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
Service #: 314 92 96
DOB: Apr 25, 1927
From: Detroit, MI
Parents: Roy A. Prior Sr and Marie R. Prior
Went Aboard: Jun 23, 1945
Age When Ship Went Down: 18 years, 3 months, 5 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Judy Clements, Cathy Kennedy and Teresa Thornton (Nieces)
Date Posted:

Seaman Second Class Walter Matthew Prior was born to parents Roy A, Sr and Marie R. Prior on April 25, 1927. Walter had just turned 18 three months before the July 30, 1945 sinking of USS Indianapolis (CA-35). Before entering the US Navy, Walter attended St. Martin Catholic School in Detroit, Michigan. Being under the age of 18, his parents would have had to sign for him to enlist in the military. His brother, Roy A. Prior, Jr. (three years older than Walter) served as a Private 1st class - 6th Bomb Group - 40th Bomb Squadron in the Army Air Force. Despite Walter's ultimate enlistment and service as a Seaman Second Class in the US Navy, the photo below in this bio of Walter and Roy Jr., both in military uniform, was a "Fun Time" for the two brothers with both smiling while being dressed up in "Army Air Force" uniforms to make a special memory photo. The Project888.org Administrator acknowledges and extends thanks to Walter Matthew Prior's three nieces (Judy Clements, Cathy Kennedy and Teresa Thornton) for their submission of information which produced this bio. As a related aside, the three nieces shared that Walter's brother (Roy Jr.) was actually stationed on the Island of Tinian where USS Indianapolis had delivered the Hiroshima bomb components. However, it is assumed that neither Roy Jr. nor Walter knew where the other brother was, so no contact was made between the two in those few days prior to Walter's death. If available in the future, this bio will be updated upon receipt of additional photos and/or bio information. MICHIGAN MEMORIAL PLAQUE See photographs (posted below) to view a copy of a memorial plaque that was dedicated circa 1946 to honor seventy-two (72) State of Michigan men who served on USS Indianapolis CA-35 and who were Lost At Sea. Walter Matthew Prior's name is listed on the plaque! Per the caption on one of the photos, the plaque was originally planned in 1946 for display at a proposed Detroit Civic Center. The plaque was initially displayed at the Detroit Naval Post VFW #233. However, the plaque had vanished for decades, fueling rumors of theft, being melted for scrap, or hidden away in a private basement. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Jeff Ortiz (nephew of LAS Y3 Orlando Ortiz) and Joni Deaver (cousin of LAS sailor S2c Charles Roof Jr.), this priceless piece of history has been re-discovered in the Detroit Historical Society storage basement in Michigan. One of the photos shows Jeff Ortiz and Ralph McNabb (nephew of LAS F2 Thomas McNabb, Jr) standing behind the very dusty plaque as it was found.