A sad farewell, while home on leave
1964 Graduated of Freeborn High School
Past president of the Freeborn Rod & Gun Club
1963 president of the Freeborn chapter of the FFA
Past vice president of the Southern Minnesota Conservation Association
Past president of the Freeborn Rod & Gun Club
1963 president of the Freeborn chapter of the FFA
Past vice president of the Southern Minnesota Conservation Association
Bronze Star
On the back of a picture of himself that he sent home, Dave wrote:
"I am an American soldier.
I am prepared to give my life for my country."
I am prepared to give my life for my country."
"Too" Young & "Too" Soon a farewell,
January 31, 1968.
January 31, 1968.
May he Rest in Peace.
February 15, 1968
February 15, 1968
Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his for his friends
(John 15:13)
that a man lay down his for his friends
(John 15:13)
I was honored to help him
in his final hour of need.
in his final hour of need.
Resting now, but not forgotten.
The following is a page from
"The Faces Behind the Names"
by Don Ward
The Vietnam Tet Offensive starts January 30, 1968
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Washington D.C.
Specialist 4th Class, E4, US55850677, MOS 11C40
Home: Alden, MN Date of Birth: October 3, 1946,
Enlisted in U.S. Army: June 6, 1966
Home: Alden, MN Date of Birth: October 3, 1946,
Enlisted in U.S. Army: June 6, 1966
Heavy Weapons Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion (Mechanized),
50th Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam
Start of Tour: September 1, 1967
Date of Casualty: January 31, 1968
Days in Country: 152
Age at time of loss: 21, Single
Casualty Type A2, Gun, small arms fire, Panel 36E - Row 029
1st Cavalry Memorial on David Lloyd Parker
During the fierce fighting that ensued at the outset of the Tet Offensive near Phu My in Binh Dinh Province,
"D" Company came into contact with a large enemy force Northeast of Phu My and to the East of the villages of Tan An.
Mick Hawkins, also a member of Parkers squad remembered:
"The NVA rolled out a heavy machine gun after we had taken over from Company B who had withdrew from the
fight in the general direction from which this gun appeared. The men all opened up on the Machine gun,
but SSGT Bell order them to hold their fire as he feared we would hit the troops of "B" Company. The machine gun
wreaked havoc on our troops. After the fight, we found Dave Parker dead of what appeared to be a large caliber weapon wound."
Operation Pershing II - January 31-February 4, 1968
The Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Memorial
