Lt. Col. James M. Parker Honored with Texas Historical Marker
May 15, 2021 at 3:40 AM
On April 17, 2021, the day before the 79th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid a Texas Historical Marker honoring Lt. Col. James M. Parker, Jr., co-pilot of Crew #9, was dedicated in his hometown Livingston, Texas. About 4 years ago, JD Coogler, who grew up with Lt. Col. Parker, and who served as a B-17 gunner in Europe during World War II, initiated the effort to commemorate Parker’s service and his participation in the Doolittle Raid with a Texas Historical Marker. The Polk County Historical Commission made the arrangements to establish the Historical Marker and coordinate the dedication ceremony. Military honors at the ceremony were carried out by representatives of Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, the local VFW, and the American Legion. View a video of the ceremony here. Following the dedication, the Polk County Museum opened the James M. Parker, Jr. Exhibit.