Francis S. Prendergast; Pilot Was Awarded Navy Cross

Francis S. Prendergast, 55, a pilot who earned the Navy Cross after he was shot down in Vietnam and escaped his captors. Born in Chicago, Prendergast grew up in Brock, Canada, and was educated at Loyola University of New Orleans and St. Bonaventure in Olean, N.Y. He joined the Navy in 1964, and three years later was shot down during a combat mission over North Vietnam. Pursued and captured, he escaped and was picked up by a rescue helicopter. In addition to the Navy Cross, Prendergast also earned the Purple Heart and three Air Medals. He later spent 25 years in various positions in the Department of Contract Defense Management Command in Southern California. On Friday in Claremont of a heart attack.