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Truer words were never spoken than those written in the 1937 <em>HOWITZER </em>of this man, which held true until his death:</div>
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“Quiet, silent man from Texas—dynamite and a whirlwind of energy at any sport-lover of football, horses and fair play—a Goat Plebe year, Engineer First Class year—leader of men (and of femmes)—studious and hard working, but full of the right kind of fun at the right time—stern disciplinarian—a friend of all—looked up to and respected by all who meet him—file boner in a quiet way—spoony—never ‘non-reg’ (except for the dummy shoes under the bed)— temperate and sensible about his actions at all times—staunch supporter of the Corps, its Honor and Traditions—above all a Cadet, a Gentleman, and a Man—Parker, J.Y.”</div>
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James Young Parker, Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired), died after a long fight with cancer.</div>
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Jim was born in the small east Texas town of Tyler, and was unexposed to any military life. He had a hurtling desire to receive an appointment to West Point because of his great love for his older brother, Colonel (Retired) C.E. Parker, United States Infantry, who served as a first lieutenant in World War I and with a brilliant record. Colonel C.E. Parker was retired just before the beginning of World War II. After one year in Tyler Junior College, Jim received his appointment to West Point. Jim was also blessed with three other great brothers, Ralph, Bill, and Cyril, and a beautiful Christian mother and father.</div>
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Many of the Class are well familiar with the academic struggle Jimmy had in order to raise his standing from goat as a Plebe to engineer by First Class year. He made it and went happily off to the horse drawn 82d Field Artillery, 7th Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.</div>
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During summer leave he met his bride-to-be for the second time. By now she was a very grown-up fifteen year old, instead of the eleven year old brat he met the first time. She is the descendant of the first governor of the Chickasaw Indian Nation, Cyrus Harris. “Manu Jammay” (Indian names) is blessed with some of the fine virtues of her “Indian Family”—namely honesty, (maybe too much) and a sense of humor. Possibly a little hit of the “wild Indian” is still there, as suggested by General John D. Ryan, many years ago.</div>
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Jim and Manu were married in December 1937 after she reached age sixteen, and with the permission of both sets of parents and the approval of a good friend and classmate, Manob (Knobby) Suriya, of Bangkok, Thailand.</div>
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Jim and his “child-bride” arrived at their post quarters to find the whole 82d Field Artillery turned out to give them a “hunt breakfast” and “caisson ride” over the boondocks. It was instigated by those great classmates and buddies, Doug Quandt and Jim Norvell, never to be forgotten by the new Second Lieutenant and his bride. A beautiful silver tray was presented to us by our much loved commander, William P. Ennis, Class of 1926, from the officers and ladies of the 82d Field Artillery and it has been in use to this day, growing more treasured with each passing year. Ah—old Army and tradition—we loved it all. Mrs. Ennis was an inspiration and guiding hand for this very young Army wife who was not at all versed in Army ways. How could we ever forget, now retired Lieutenant General and Mrs. William P, Ennis Jr.? And how could we ever forget our very favorite bachelor, Charles D. Palmer, Class of 1924, now also a retired general, and won't say what we learned from that rascal.</div>
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Jim served with the 82d Field Artillery until 1939, when he applied for and passed the physical for flying school, Patricia Ann was born at William Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, before we moved on to Dallas, Texas, and primary training. After primary was basic at Randolph, advanced at Kelly, Jim won his much coveted wings in May 1940, and was into the love of his life—flying.</div>
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From Flying School our first assignment in the Army Air Corps was Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas. That assignment was not to be for long. In six months we had our orders to Clark Field, Philippines. Our second daughter, Nancy Jean, had to be six months old before we could go overseas (what timing—the Army). The Parker family sailed from San Francisco, January 1941. We were told on the way that dependents would either return on the United States Army Transport Grant or possibly soon thereafter. Someone knew we were in for big trouble in the Philippine Islands. My two babies and I were evacuated from there in May 1941 along with most of the other dependents.</div>
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Jim was taken prisoner by the Japanese along with twenty-six or twenty-seven courageous classmates. He escaped from Bataan the day before it fell. Luckily for him, he had all that good old Field Artillery experience (no planes), for it came in handy on Bataan and Corregidor. He was a prisoner of war for three years, four months and was one of the lucky ones in being shipped out to Japan early in the war. Many were lost later in the war as they were being moved to Japan. They were bombed by our own Air Corps, for prison ships were not marked as such.</div>
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After the war, Jim returned home to his family. His career at that point was a little uncertain, considering nine months of hospitalization, recuperation and leave. We were assigned to Barksdale Field, Louisiana, and there Jim found an angel, if you can call General Joe Cannon an angel. He did everything in his power for Jim. During this time, under Joe Cannon, Jim went from major to full colonel. He was scheduled to intensive flying, which was darn near every day and night. At this point I was a flying “widow” not a golf “widow.” He commanded the Air Force Instrument School. Our third and last daughter was born at Barksdale, a precious baby, severely mentally retarded, which we found out when she was two years old. I am sure the good Lord had His reasons for this; we didn’t question them.</div>
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From Barksdale we went to Air War College, and what a “ball” we had with thirteen classmates and wives. After Army War College we were stationed at Biggs Air Force Base, El Paso, Texas. We were elated to be back at the scene of our first “crimes”—we loved it. Would you believe, all the Army files at Fort Bliss accepted and loved us because we hadn’t forgotten and proud of it, our old Army background. Our commander at Biggs was Richard M. Montgomery, Class of 1933, a great guy and better friend. Dick retired from the Air Force in 1900 as a Lieutenant General; should have had four Stars (our opinion).</div>
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Then came four great years in the Pentagon, followed by four even greater years at Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas, as commanding officer of the 7th Bomb Wing. This was Jim’s favorite assignment, if he had one.</div>
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From Carswell, we went to an overseas assignment at Torrejan Air Force Base, Madrid, Spain. We had a “ball” but didn't get off base very often. We took up golf, at our age, (we were grandparents by this time). Jim was Deputy Commanding Officer of tbe 16th Air Force (Keep Flexible), under Lieutenant General David Wade. General Wade was off base most of the time; so, “old Deputy, it’s your baby!” We got in plenty of golf and were both shooting in the low 80s—pretty good for “old folks.” General Wade did help our golf game! And then came that great guy. Major General James B, Knapp, Class of 1939, and his precious lady, Mary Emma, and for our last year in Spain, paradise couldn’t have been better. Jim Knapp was responsible for my Jim’s cluster to the Legion of Merit.</div>
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After our tour at Torrejon, we returned to Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. Here we served out our last three years. Our two older daughters were married, Pat to a Texas Christian University classmate, Jerry Clay, now a certified public accountant, and Nancy Jean to Major Nils Bonesteel Oilman, United States Air Force, the son of one of Jim’s classmates. Susie, bless her, is with me.</div>
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Jim retired in May 1967. By this time we had built our home in the country near Fort Worth. We also had a lovely second home at Possum Kingdom Lake. After killing ourselves for over two years, decided to forego all the fun of keeping up two one and a half acre yards, cleaning five commodes, seven lavatories, two tubs and two stall showers. We sold our lake place and had the time for golf, traveling, and just having fun.</div>
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Speaking for myself, I enjoyed the thirty years of service to our country and meeting and knowing all the many fine people, and I know Jim did also. However, those seven years of retirement were the greatest of our lives. I wish all our friends could enjoy themselves as much as we did. I am thankful to the good Lord for those seven years and know that Jim was too.</div>
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I can truly say Jim lived and died happy with his fifty-nine plus years. He was a deacon and pillar of our Baptist Church, and all who knew him and worked with him and for him, loved and respected him. What man could ask for more?</div>
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<em>—A loving wife, Manu Parker</em></div>