Retired Col. Ralph S. Parr Jr. dies, memorial service announced

News > Retired Col. Ralph S. Parr Jr. dies, memorial service announced

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Retired Col. Ralph Parr, who sadly passed away Dec. 7, 2012, flew a P-38 Lightning in World War II and an F-86 Sabre during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He is the only military member to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Force Cross. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
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Retired Col. Ralph S. Parr Jr. dies, memorial service announced

Posted 12/14/2012 Updated 12/15/2012

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12/14/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Col. Ralph S. Parr Jr., 88, who was the only American pilot to receive both the Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Force Cross, passed away Dec. 7 at an assisted living facility in New Braunfels, Texas.

Joint Base San Antonio will honor the legacy of one of the Air Force's most celebrated pilots and a former 12th Tactical Fighter Wing commander at a funeral service planned for 11:30 a.m. Monday in the JBSA-Randolph theater. Interment will follow the funeral service at 2 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Parr was born in 1924 in Portsmouth, Va. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve Nov. 4, 1942 and was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program Feb. 2, 1943, earning his wings and a commission in the U.S. Army Air Forces Feb. 8, 1944. Parr was forced to retire in 1976 after sustaining a back injury while inspecting a roof for hurricane damage at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

During his career, he flew 641 combat missions with more than 6,000 hours and received more than 60 decorations, including a Silver Star, Bronze Star, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 41 Air Medals.

Funeral services will be held at the Old Movie Theatre behind the Taj Mahjal at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Monday, Dec. 17, at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors at 2 p.m.

Parr is survived by his wife, Margaret, and three stepchildren.

Read the Joint Base San Antonio release about the memorial service here.

Or copy/paste this URL: http://www.aetc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123329856

Comments

1/3/2013 6:44:20 AM ET
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Another World War II Veteran leaves us although not only a WWII one but a Korean War Ace and a Vietnam Veteran as well. How many of them are left For those of you who live close to them cherish them. I do have to say I am brought to this announcement as I just got the message in my inbox at work directly from the CSAF in his New year's message to the force. General Welsh does echo what is said in the first paragraph but it is incorrect. Colonel Parr was not the only USAF Aviator to receive both the Air Force Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. I can think of one more a man whom I once met and admire to this day. Colonel James Harding also earned both decorations in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller pilot. He flew less combat missions that Colonel Parr and only in one conflict but did get the AF Cross and 5 DFCs to Col Parr's 10. He is 76 years old. As much as you honored and cherished Colonel P

Adrian Mata, Dayton Ohio

12/17/2012 6:51:29 PM ET
Col. Ralph S. Parr was a hero and a man you would be proud to know imagine how proud I am to be able to call him my grandfather. I am the oldest of 5 grandchildren he has in Tampa Florida children of his son Ralph S. Parr the Third who passed in January 2010. We lost him as well as his sister our Aunt Pamela to cancer. They are all together now with our heavenly father. We are mourning your loss but will never stop loving you or continuing to honor our family name to which you gave such meaning.

Denise Parr Sizemore, Tampa

12/15/2012 10:35:14 AM ET
The link to the San Antonio story has been repaired. Thanks

Tom Budzyna, DMA

12/14/2012 5:03:37 PM ET
The link in the last sentence doesn't work as of 2200Z 14 Dec. Sure would be nice to be able to read the memorial service release....

Paul, WPAFB OH

12/13/2012 4:38:39 PM ET
My thoughts and prayers go out to Colonel Parr's family and friends. The Colonel had an amazing career in the Air Force and was obviously a hero in every sense of the word. Thank you Sir for your service to our Great Nation from a grateful veteran and may you Rest in Peace Sir.

Greg Heller, Atlanta GA

12/13/2012 4:23:22 PM ET
Col Parr was a true hero and gentleman who maintained a long post-retirement relationship with Randolph AFB. The officers club there bears his name deservedly so for such a long and distinguished career of service to the nation. BTW Don't know where you got your story info but there is no such name as the Old Movie Theatre at Randolph. It's simply the base theater. And the correct spelling of the nickname for Bldg 100 the 12th Flying Training Wing headquarters at Randolph is Taj Mahal.

Michael Briggs, Joint Base San Antonio TX

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