Hugh Arthur Parker was born in Lavonia, Georgia, March 23, 1907, where he graduated from high school in 1925. He attended the University of Georgia for three years and in June, 1928, he was appointed a flying cadet.
After graduating from primary and advanced flying school, he was rated a pilot and commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Reserve June 22, 1929. He received his regular commission as a second lieutenant of Air Corps September 4, 1929, and was assigned with the 8th Attack Squadron at Fort Crockett, Texas. In April, 1930, he was transferred to the 60th Service Squadron, also at Fort Crockett. In July, 1931, he became an instructor at the flying school at Brooks Field, Texas, later serving in that capacity at Randolph Field, Texas.
In November, 1934, General Parker was transferred to the Philippine Islands for duty with the 28th Bomb Squadron. He became training and operations officer for the Philippine Army Air Corps in April, 1936.
General Parker in November, 1937, was assigned with the 90th Attack Squadron at Barksdale Field, Louisiana. In September, 1939, he entered the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, and upon graduation the following December, returned to Barksdale Field where, in February, 1940, he assumed command of the 17th Bomb Squadron. After transferring with his squadron to Hunter Field, Georgia, in October, 1940, he took command of the 35th Air Base Group there in May, 1941. He was appointed liaison staff officer for the U.S. Military Air Mission in Argentina in August, 1941.
Two years later, in July, 1943, General Parker became executive officer of the Allocations and Programs Division at Army Air Forces headquarters, Washington, D.C., and in October, 1943, was named executive officer of the Commitments Division there. He was appointed chief of the Allocations Branch at Army Air Forces headquarters in February, 1944.
In October, 1944, General Parker was appointed deputy chief of staff of the V Fighter Command in the Southwest Pacific theater. In December, 1944, he was named chief of staff and in October, 1945, assumed command. He was named commander of the 315th Composite Wing in the Southwest Pacific theater in May, 1946.
General Parker, in August, 1947, entered the National War College. He graduated in June, 1948, and was named a member of the Joint Strategic Plans Group in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In August, 1950, he became deputy for operations of the Western Air Defense Force at Hamilton Air Force Base, California, and in July, 1951, was appointed vice commander of that organization. In August, 1953, he assumed duties as deputy commander of the Alaskan Air Command at Elemendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
In August, 1955, General Parker became the deputy chief of staff for operations of Air Defense Command at Ent Air Force Base, Colorado. In April, 1957, he took command of the Western Air Defense Force at Hamilton Air Force Base, California, which position he held until his retirement from the Air Force on November 30, 1959.
General Parker has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), National Defense Service Medal, Philippine Distinguished Service Star, Philippine Liberation Medal, and named an Honorary Military Aviator of Argentina. He is also authorized to wear the National Military Establishment Badge.
He is rated a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, and Aircraft Observer.
PROMOTIONS
Flying Cadet, Air Corps, June 23, 1928, to June 27, 1929; Second Lieutenant, Air Reserve, June 22, 1929; Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, September 4, 1929; First Lieutenant (temporary), March 15, 1935; First Lieutenant, May 1, 1935; Captain, September 4, 1939; Major (temporary), March 21, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), January 5, 1942; Major, A.U.S., November 27, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S. (Air Corps), December 2, 1942; Lieutenant Colonel, A.U.S., March 9, 1943; Colonel, A.U.S., April 13, 1944; Major, September 4, 1946; Colonel, April 2, 1948; Brigadier General (temporary), October 9, 1951, with date of rank September 26, 1951; Brigadier General (permanent), August 22, 1952; Major General (temporary), June 1, 1951; retired in the grade of Major General, November 30, 1959.
(Parker biography dated 19 Oct 1951, supplemented by information from USAF Historical Study No. 91: Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers 1917 to 1952.)