William H. Parker

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded to any person who, after April 6, 1917, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances.
Air Medal Awarded to any person serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
American Defense Service Medal Awarded for service between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941 under orders to active duty for a period of 12 months or longer.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Awarded for military service for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
No  ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
Yes Eyewitness Statement or Report, Find A Grave and Pacific Wrecks, B-17E No. 41-2435
Yes Memorial Marker Photo, Find A Grave
No  National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No  Missing Air Crew Report (MACR)
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
No  WWII Draft Card Data
No  WWII Hospital Admission Records

WWII Draft Card Data
Sgt William Parker was assigned the seven-digit Army Service Number 6581531, indicating that he enlisted prior to September 16 1940 when the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 was put into effect.

Note 1: The death location, "In the Solomon Sea area, South Pacific" is based on the eyewitness statement of surviving crew member Sgt Leo T. Ranta:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 28th Bomb Squadron, 19th Bomb Group.

B. At the time SGT Parker died, his assigned B-17 bomber, tail number 41-2435, was as part of a flight of B-17s searching for a convoy near Buna. This aircraft was intercepted by enemy aircraft and shot down with the loss of all but one crew member, Sgt Ranta.

C. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has listed: "PARKER, WILLIAM H., Sgt, 06581531, UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES, 8/2/1942, 28 BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, 19 BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), SOLOMON SEA". Initially classified as Missing In Action, he and the other missing crew were declared dead on January 7, 1946.

D. Further information on the 28th Bomb Squadron and the 19th Bomb Group can be found at the Wikipedia website 28th Bomb Squadron, and the HistoryOfWar.org website 19th Bombardment Group.

Anyone with additional information is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) -

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