Benscousin
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- Joined: 08/01/2008
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Re: RE: 51st FG, 449th FS
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08/05/2008 08:09:17 PM
Hi Bill, Here are excerpts from notes by Mrs. F. H Brooks, Smithfield, NC - Ben L. Parker's aunt Benjamin Leete Parker , b. April 1, 1917, was from La Mesa, CA. Volunteered for the Army Aircorp in March, 1942. Commissioned a 2nd Lt., October 30, 1942. November, 1942, transferred to 320th Squad. , Westover Field, Chicopee, Mass. January, 1943, transferred to 89th FS, Mitchell Field, Long Island, NY.
Sent to Richmond, VA to fly P-40, April, 1943. April 30, 1943, went overseas.
Address:
Lt. B.L. Parker -0-732336
89th FS - 80th FG
APO 3969
c/o Postmaster, NYC, NY
Eventually transferred to NE India, September, 1943. Letter to parents in late September reported that he was in China.
Address:
Lt. B.L. Parker 0-732336
25th FS 51stFG
APO 627 c/o Postmaster
NYC, NY
Had made 6 missions over Japanese territory in S. China & Burma.
Letter from Ben, November 10, 1943, promoted to 1st Lt.
Letter from Ben, March 19, 1944, received air medal for 25 combat missions.
September 25th, letter reported that Ben had made 89 missions. Final mission on September 26, 1944.
Wife received letter from Bens's room mate detailing the 90th mission- his last. Hit by enemy fire, over Burma,on September 26, 1944 and radioed that he was going to bail out.
Flying partner, Captain Ruup (maybe Rump) (sp) visted Ben's wife in November 1944. He provided details of Ben's last flight and purported capture by the Japanese.
Awarded the DFC ,Ben L. Parker was not officially declared dead unti 1946.
Attached is a picture of Ben in China. Thanks for getting in touch. Let me know if you need any additional information. Charles W. Ellington Raleigh, NC
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