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Sgt Willard M. Parker graduated from Pierre S. duPont High School with the class of 1938 and was employed by the Wiltex Company.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Wilmington, Delaware on 6 January 1942.

The airplane, of which he was a crew member, was shot down five km south of Valburg, Holland on 22 June 1943.

Statement form 2nd Lt Walter E. Allen, one of the surviving crew members:
"After trouble began over target we were constantly under enemy attack until we went down. Shortly before the finish several voices were heard to come over the interphone. Proof that the interphone was not out was that a few voices still came over. Twenty millimeter shells burst within 2 yards of me twice. Since the nose was not attacked as severely as the fuselage because nose guns were very active, but ball turret was out. It is logical to believe that many shells hit within the fuselage in the period of 25 minutes of contant attack. Ball Turret operator S/Sgt Gunson, Co-Pilot 1st Lt Grose, Radio Operator T/Sgt Kanetzky and Waist Gunner were all still in the A/C when it struck the ground."

The airplane exploded in the air. Four crew members were killed in the plane, two died on the ground and four were taken prisoner.

He was taken prisoner and died of wounds in Arnhem, Holland.

Sgt Willard M. Parker is remembered at the Silverbrook Cemetery, in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.