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Thaddeus Parker was born on 13 November 1923 in Cross City, Fla. and enlisted in the United States Navy on 27 June 1941. Upon completion of basic training, Parker was assigned
to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Va., as a Hospital Apprentice on 30 August. On 31 October 1941, he was stationed at the Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va., where he served as a hospital corpsman
in the U.S. Naval Hospital, and, after 29 March 1942, in the First Raider Battalion, Fleet Marine Force.
Parker accompanied the Raider Battalion when that unit was ordered to the South Pacific. He was awarded the Navy Cross "for extraordinary heroism while serving as company corpsman during an
engagement with enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 13-14 September 1942." The citation further stated: "When his company was almost completely surrounded
by the Japanese and under attack from all directions, Parker, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, constantly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for and evacuate the wounded.
As a result of his dauntless courage and outstanding devotion to duty, he undoubtedly saved the lives of many of the injured who otherwise might have perished."
Killed in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943, Parker was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy Cross Medal with the following citation: "For gallantry
in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands. Disregarding his personal safety, he aggressively moved forward into areas swept by intense, hostile fire to render medical aid to two seriously wounded
marines. In courageously attempting to evacuate the second man, Pharmacist's Mate Parker was killed."
USS Thaddeus Parker (DE 369) (1943-1967) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
(Photo from the Find A Grave web site submitted by Betty Jones Mikell.) |
Bill Gonyo
Downey, Cal.
Assoc. Researcher
Navsource |
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1952: Boston, Mass. - USS Thaddeus Parker (DE 369) is shown arriving at the Boston Naval Shipyard.
(Photo © Leslie Jones, Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection) |
John Whalen |
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22 May 1952: Thaddeus Parker underway in the Caribbean.
(U.S. Navy photo #80-G-446907 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.) |
Nick Tiberio
Shelton, Conn. |
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22 May 1952: Thaddeus Parker underway in the Caribbean. (Date
on photo incorrect, should be 22 May 1952)
(U.S. Navy photo #80-G-446908 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.) |
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circa late '50's: Port Newark, N.J. - Open house being held aboard USS Thaddeus Parker. |
Al Holenko
Carolina Shores, N.C. |
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undated image: Aerial view of the destroyer escort USS Thaddeus Parker (DE 369) underway.
(U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #1043473 from the Naval History and Heritage Command) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Archive Manager
DE / FF / LCS Archive
Navsource |
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early 1960's: Parker shown entering her home port at Port Newark, N.J. |
Stanley J. Zalewski
BT3, DE 369
1958 - 1962 |
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1961: San Juan, P.R. - Parker dry docked in Puerto Rico for rudder repair. |
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1962: Port Newark, N.J. - Parker shown moored in her home port. |
Michael Ford
served in DE 369 as:
SN 1962-63
GMG2 1966-67 |
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1962: Port Newark, N.J. - Parker's 5" gun mounts, forward Mount 51 on top and after mount 52 below. |
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1962: New York, N.Y. - Parker underway in New York harbor. |
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12 May 1962: The Atlantic Ocean - Robert F. Keller (DE 419) cruising in a line abreast formation with USS
Thaddeus Parker (DE 369) and USS Albert T. Harris (DE 447).
(U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 95914 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
| Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Archive Manager
DE / FF / LCS Archive
Navsource |
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258k |
03 February 1967: Newport, R.I. - Two views of four Third Naval District reserve training DE's alongside USS Yosemite (AD 19) for upkeep and repair. From left to
right are: Thaddeus Parker, stationed at the Military Ocean Terminal, Bayonne, N.J.; USS DeLong (DE 684),
stationed to the U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Reserve Center, Fort Schuyler, Bronx, N.Y.; USS Albert T. Harris (DE 447),
stationed at the U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center at Whitestone, Queens, N.Y.; and finally USS Coates (DE 685),
stationed at the Long Wharf in New Haven, Conn.
(Both Photos ©Richard Leonhardt) |
Richard Leonhardt
Bethlehem, Pa. |
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undated image |
Nick Tiberio
Shelton, Conn. |
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October 1967: News article from "The Naval Reservist" announcing the retirement of Thaddeus Parker from the reserve destroyer programs. |
