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Post by admin on Feb 8, 2008 21:07:28 GMT -5
OK I Have spent 3 Hours today, Sitting with SSgt E W, Parks, and listening and learning allot about the 504th Co D.
His Friendships with Many Other WW2 82nd 504th Vets, Including Pvt Russ Carter, and many others.
His time in the Italian Country side, and his time in Africa.
He is a Active Paster of South Main Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, and I also Found out that My wifes Uncle Dated his Daughter, some years back.
He has welcomed me back to his house and He wants to meet Mr Weigman as well.
I will be posting a In Detail Report and Pic of Mr Parks.
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Post by admin on Mar 11, 2008 15:04:19 GMT -5
A PARATROOPERS HELL
Told By Ernest W Parks.
Written By Christian W Barlow
1940 -1941
RECRUITMENT OFFICE
In 1940 Just after Graduation from High School, Ernest Parks and his good friend went down to the Local Army Recruitment office.
Ernest had only two Requests that He and his long time friend Be located Together in the same Unit, and that They Be sent to Hawaii. The Local Recruiter told them that There was No way he could send them to Hawaii, Esp Together. So on that Note He Left the recruiters Office.
A Few Weeks Later, Ernest and His Friend went to another Recruiting Office, and again gave the Recruiting Sgt the same Request. And Again the same Reply, as Ernest and his Friend thanked the Sgt for his Time, and turned and headed to the door, The Recruiting Sgt Fearing he just lost two Possible Recruits, Stopped the Two Young men. And Exclaimed that He had just forgotten that He had just received a Request from Hawaii, Earlier that Morning for Only Two New Recruits to be sent ASAP to Hawaii for Enlistment and Training.
As the two young men Eyes gleamed with excitement, to the Freshly handed over news, the Quickly sat down, and Eagerly Signed there names on the Line the Recruiting Sgt Provided.
So Began Pvt E W. Parks Adventure into the U.S Army.
CAMP JACKSON
After about a week or two, Pvt Ernest Parks, Began to wounder when he would be shipped off to Hawaii, So he confronted his Drill Sgt, and Asked him When he would be shipped off to Hawaii.
The Drill Sgt, Having heard this and with a bit of annoyance, seeping through a half drunk state, looked at Pvt Ernest Parks, and Said with a half pissed tone, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, WHO TOLD YOU, YOUR GOING TO HAWAII.
Sheepishly Ernest look at his Drill Sgt, and Said, Why my Recruiter did.
The Drill Sgt looked at Ernest for a few moments, and some where deep with in him came a Laugh, that almost seem to echo across Tank Hill.
At that moment Pvt Ernest Parks, Realized that he had been taken for sucker.
TANK DESTROYER BATTALION
CAMP CLAIRBORNE
FORT BENNING
FORT BRAGG
THE TRIP
NORTH AFRICA
THE BIG JUMP
THE POISON IN THE CASTLE
ITALY
HILL 1202
ANZIO
SSgt Parks landed on Anzio Beach with the rest of the 504th RCT.
The one thing that SSgt Parks remember vividly was a LST that had taken a Direct hit from a German Bomber, that left all soles aboard killed with not much left to piece a single man together.
There is a Photo Taken of troopers of the 504th cumming up from the beach head, with the burning wreck of the LST in the distance, and in that Photo is SSgt E Parks.
They military lived off of that beach head for the remaining stay at Anzio, constantly under direct and indirect Artillery, as well as Luftwaffe Bombing runs.
From the heights out side of Anzio the Germans had a clear view of the beach and all allied operations.
The 504th moved in and to the south, pushing and blazing a path all the way to the south to the Mussolini Canal, then be halted by stiff German opposition.
THE GREAT ESCAPE FROM THE CANAL
MEDIVAC
ENGLAND
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS HELL
HOME
THE DRUNK AND THE LUGER
SALVATION
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Post by admin on Mar 12, 2008 10:41:49 GMT -5
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Post by admin on Jun 16, 2009 13:04:32 GMT -5
No not yet.
I need to talk to his wife, and get his jacket size.
I have his overseas Cap, and an extra 82nd patch.
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Post by jwoosley on Jan 7, 2010 10:10:22 GMT -5
The 504th is trying to get all the parts of Ernest Parks jacket ready for me to start sewing this weekend. If you've agreed to bring a patch (or want to donate a $$ or two) bring it with you. I will be taking the jacket and sewing the patches on over the next week.
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Post by admin on Jan 7, 2010 13:00:25 GMT -5
what patches do you need?
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Post by admin on Jan 7, 2010 13:01:09 GMT -5
at present only patch I have is the 82nd patch
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Post by admin on Jan 7, 2010 13:02:12 GMT -5
If I remember from sight, Ernest has the jump wings with three Stars on it.
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Post by joshgillis on Jan 7, 2010 13:24:20 GMT -5
i have the flight cap still chris
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Post by admin on Jan 7, 2010 19:30:43 GMT -5
ahhh
You also have a pair of dress slacks that go with the Unit Display Jacket.
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Post by jwoosley on Jan 8, 2010 11:08:58 GMT -5
We have:
jacket (82nd patch already sewn)
SSGT stripes
504th Oval
504th Pocket patch
CIB
Jump Wings
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Post by admin on Jan 8, 2010 14:32:13 GMT -5
then As far as I can tell, short of his name plate, Which they no longer make, or can find. He is good to go.
Do you have a spare 504th DI?
Going to need one for his OS Cap.
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Post by t7949266 on Jan 8, 2010 19:57:21 GMT -5
I have spare DI
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Post by jwoosley on Jan 13, 2010 14:16:19 GMT -5
Check Allied Workshops for the Name tapes.
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Post by admin on Jan 14, 2010 4:54:45 GMT -5
I have, I have sent them numerous e-mails with no response back.
and they do not have a listing on there web page.
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