Frank Parker (general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Parker
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Parker as a major
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| Born | September 21, 1872 Georgetown County, South Carolina, US |
| Died | March 13, 1947 (aged 74) Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Buried |
Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, Ohio
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1894–1936 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | Third United States Army Eighth Corps Area 1st Division Philippine Department Sixth Corps Area |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War World War I |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Citation (2) |
| Spouse(s) | Katherine Hamilton Lahm |
Frank Parker (born September 21, 1872 – died March 13, 1947) was an important American soldier who became a major general in the United States Army. He received many awards for his service, like the Army Distinguished Service Medal and two Silver Star Citations. He also earned many awards from other countries and for his work as a civilian.
Early Life and Military Training
Frank Parker was born on September 21, 1872, in Georgetown County, South Carolina. He came from a family with a long history in the United States.
Parker first went to the University of South Carolina. Later, he attended the United States Military Academy (West Point), which is a famous school for training army officers. He graduated from West Point in 1894.
After graduating, Parker served in the Spanish–American War in 1898. He also spent time serving in Puerto Rico from 1899 to 1900. From 1900 to 1903, he taught at West Point.
In 1904, Parker studied at the Cavalry School in France. He then worked as a military attaché, which means he was a military expert sent to other countries. He served in Caracas, Venezuela, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. He also worked in Cuba, where he helped train cavalry soldiers from 1909 to 1912. In 1912, he went back to France to study at another military school called the École Supérieure de Guerre.
World War I Service
Before the United States joined World War I, Parker was an observer with the French armies from 1916 to 1917. This meant he watched how they fought and learned from their strategies. He then became the chief of the American Military Mission at the French General Headquarters.
When the United States joined World War I in 1917, Parker was promoted to brigadier general. He commanded the 18th Infantry and later the 1st Infantry Brigade. In October 1918, he was put in charge of the 1st Division of the American Expeditionary Force, which was the main force of the U.S. Army in Europe during the war.
After the War
After World War I ended, General John J. Pershing suggested that Parker be promoted to major general. However, the war ended before this promotion could happen.
Parker continued his military education. In 1920, he graduated from the École Supérieure de Guerre in France again. He even taught at the Command and Staff School at Fort Leavenworth in 1922. From 1923 to 1924, he studied and taught at the Army War College. He also commanded a brigade of the 1st Division from 1925 to 1927.
In 1927, Parker received an honorary degree from the University of South Carolina. He was promoted to major general in 1929. He held several important commands, including the Sixth Corps Area and the Philippine Department from 1932 to 1933.
In 1933, he received another degree from Michigan State College. He was also honored by Italy for his help with the transatlantic flight of Italo Balbo, a famous Italian aviator.
From 1933 to 1935, Parker commanded the 1st Division. In 1936, he took command of the Eighth Corps Area and then the Third Army.
Retirement
Frank Parker retired from the army on September 30, 1936. He then made his home in Chicago. During World War II, he served as the Executive Director of the Illinois War Council, helping with war efforts at home.
Parker passed away on March 13, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois. He was buried at Mansfield Cemetery in Mansfield, Ohio. He was married to Katherine Hamilton Lahm.
