World War II Honoree

William Frank Parsons

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Columbus Junction, Iowa

Honored By

Willa Parsons Griffin & Joanne Parsons Decker

Relationship

Daughters

ADVANCED THROUGH THE RANKS TO RECEIVE HIS COMMISSION OF LIEUTENANT. SERVED ON THE USS HENDERSON AND THE USS TANGIER AMONG OTHER VESSELS ON DUTY IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. WAS ABOARD THE USS TANGIER WHEN IT WAS DOCKED IN THE HARBOR AT HONOLULU, HAWAII ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, NOSE TO REAR WITH THE USS UTAH WHICH WAS SUNK. HIS SHIP, A SEA PLANE TENDER, MANAGED TO ESCAPE THE TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION ON THAT DAY. SERVED HONORABLY IN MANY CAPACITIES IN THE MEDICAL CORPS, THE LAST OF WHICH WAS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE FLEET AND FORCE DENTAL SURGEON OF THE ATLANTIC FLEET STATIONED IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.