Parks David Paul

Monuments

B-17s Chicken Ship, Scarlet Harlot, & Raven's Nest Crash Memorial -457th Bomber Group

Name:

David Paul Parks

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-806324

Unit:

749th Bomber Squadron, 457th Bomber Group

Date of Death:

1944-04-09

State:

Pennsylvania

Cemetery:

Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Ličge, Ličge, Belgium

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart

Comments:

David Paul Parks was born on December 3, 1919, in Freedom, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Percy H. Parks and Clara M. Wahl Parks. He was the husband of Betty Mickey Parks Strutin. He entered the service in 1942 and was commissioned in 1943. He served in the 749th Bomb Squadron, 457th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot of the B-17 (42-31629) known as ''Raven's Haven'' during World War II.

On April 9, 1944, during a raid over the Polish port city of Gdynia, the aircraft sustained heavy damage from German anti-aircraft defenses and was subsequently attacked by Fw 190 fighters. The assault crippled the plane, disabling one of its engines and compromising its cockpit. Despite efforts by pilot Lt. David P. Parks to maintain control, the damage forced the crew to abandon the aircraft over German territory. Out of the ten crew members aboard, seven were killed, while three survived and were taken as prisoners of war. 1Lt Parks was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Ličge, Ličge, Belgium.

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.findagrave.com/