by Duke Doering
On April 14, 1942 during World War II the 147th Field Artillery Regiment had witnessed several Japanese air attacks on their camps in Australia. Air raids were frequent and defenses were not adequate. There were instances where U.S. Army Air Corps planes attempted to defend Darwin but the P-40 Fighters were slower and less maneuverable than the Japanese planes. The first American casualty was Major “Slugger” Pell. 
He was shot down in attempting to fight off about forty Japanese fighters who escorted 81 bombers on February 19. American fatalities in Australia increased steadily after that.
1st Lt. Henry T. Praed was the 147th Field Artillery Chaplain. Praed took it upon himself to insure that all Americans, no matter which branch of service or which unit, received decent burials. He gathered volunteers to work that project with him and worked tirelessly to see it succeed.
The South Dakota Chaplain selected a portion of the Australian military cemetery near Berrimah hospital and saw to it that proper interments were made with appropriate services. Markers were made by the 147th carpenters and the section of the cemetery was well cared for. When Major Pell’s fiancé arrived in Darwin after escaping from the Philippines Chaplain Praed was able to take her to Pell’s grave.
On January 1, 1944 Lt. Praed was assigned as I Corps Chaplain and promoted to Captain. The assignment to I Corps was believed to have stemmed from an event the previous May when Lt. Gen. Eichelbarger, I Corps Commander, attended Memorial Day Services conducted by Chaplain Praed at the 147th Field Artillery Theatre.
Before the war was over in the Pacific Lt. Gen. Eichelbarger had transferred several South Dakota National Guard members to his Headquarters, including Col. Jensen.
