PVT Joseph Ernest Parker Jr

courtesy of Joy Riggers

PVT Joseph Ernest Parker Jr. was born 26 Oct 1915 in Bedford, Virginia. He was the 3rd child of 5 and 2nd son born to Joseph Ernest and Eula Grace (Arrington) Parker. Like his brother Earl, Joseph worked for the Piedmont Label Company printing labels for canned goods. The family farmed. Joseph married Emily Louise Hicks on 21 Dec 1940.

Joseph was drafted, probably in the latter half of 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and on 11 Aug 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry. The 116th and the 29th Division were then tasked to be part of the attack on Brest and Joseph was killed in action on 27 Aug 1944.

PVT Parker rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Joseph was younger brother to SGT Earl Lloyd Parker who was killed in action with A Company 116th Infantry on 6 Jun 1944 and is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at the Normandy American Cemetery. Their younger brother, William Eugene Parker, was captured and held as a prisoner of war at Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11).