Huntington in Huntington County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Taps
Semper Fidelis
Photographed By Craig Doda, July 18, 2020
1. Taps Memorial plaque
Hospital Corpsman First Class Petty Officer Thomas Aquinas Parker, a Huntington native born on December 31, 1937, was a US Navy Corpsman assigned to Marine Air Group 36,1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
On April 5. 1967, HM1 Parker was assigned to a UH1E "Huey" medical evacuation helicopter supporting Operation DeSoto, Southeast of Nui Dang Hill, Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam. While hovering over the landing zone, the Huey on which Parker was riding was hit by enemy fire and exploded.
According to witnesses HM1 Parker died of wounds sustained in the explosion of the aircraft. A Navy account of the incident states that an extensive search of the area was made and his remains could not be recovered. Parker is the only American missing on April 5, 1967
This monument is dedicated to the men and women who honorably served their country in South Vietnam, especially those who never came home. You will not be forgotten.
Erected 2017 by Huntington County Veterans' Council.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Science & Medicine • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is April 5, 1967.
Location. 40° 52.721′ N, 85° 30.393′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Memory of All Vietnam Veterans (here, next to this marker); Huntington Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); WWII Sherman Tank (a few steps from this marker); John R. Kissinger (a few steps from this marker); Huntington Korean War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Huntington Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Huntington Grand Army of the Republic Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Huntington Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntington.
Photographed By Craig Doda, July 18, 2020
2. Taps Memorial display
Photographed By Craig Doda, July 18, 2020
3. The Statue of Thomas A. Parker
Photographed By Craig Doda, July 18, 2020
4. The base of the statue, showing Parker's name
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 2, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
