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Richard H. Parker His Life !Return to members page

Richard Parker his Military Career

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He graduated from Shattuck Military Academy in, Fairbault, Minnesota,in1942. He received his wings at Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas, in August 1943. He reported to Dale Mabry Field in Tallahassee, Florida in November 1943, for fighter training. He received 40 hours Fighter Training Time and then was sent to combat in Europe. He reported to the 9th Air Force, 405th Fighter Group, 510th Fi ghter Squadron at Christchurch, England in April 1944. The airfield was located on the south coast of England, across from the landing beaches of France. D Day was June 6 1944. He was moved to Normandy, July 1 1944. He was then moved to Northern France, St Dizer, September 1944. Then moved to Asch, Holland, January 1945. He flew P-47s on 101 missions over Europe, mostly strafing and dive bombing missions. Of the 125 pilots that went through his squadron, 50 were shot down behind enemy lines, 47 by ground fire. He was shot down 7 times, all by ground fire. He shot down 3 enemy aircraft : 2 ME- 109s and 1 FW -190. He destroyed many trains, ammunition dumps, factories and convoys. During a strafing mission over Bretton Germany, on December 12 1944 ,a train blew up under him and tore off the canopy of his plane, along with a part of his shoulder. He got back to a field in France and made a wheels down landing but the heat of the train explosion had blown out all three tires, so his P-47 ground looped and was severely damaged. His pal Buzz landed to check on him. After getting gas for Buzz's plane, He climbed in first and Buzz sat on his lap and they flew back to their base in the single seat P-47. Neither of them had a parachute. He left the squadron in March of 1945 for a 30 day duty in the United States after completing 101 missions. He was honorably discharged as a Captain in the United States Air Force. He received The Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, 20 Air Medals, American Campaign Medal. Euro-African- Middle Eastern Campaign with four Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Richard Parker his career after the service
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Richard Parker his Family Life
Richard Parker his sports and hobbies
Richard H.Parker Sr. 1922-2006
 

Parker Memorial Palm Springs Air Museum 3/26/2006
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