Born in Orangeburg County, Paul Pritcher was drafted into the military in 1943. He knew about the concentration camps, but had no firsthand knowledge. He was with the first troops to arrive at Mockhowsen in Austria. They found very few live prisoners. There was evidence of starvation; gassing in mass graves and "shower" rooms. No Nazis remained in camp, and the prisoners had been shipped out also. They found some bodies on the side of the road near the camp. The local people denied knowing anything about the camp. He will never forget what he saw and feels the value of education is limitless.