Floyd Bruce Parks was born on 16 January 1911 at Salisbury, Missouri, and was killed in action over the Pacific on 4 June 1942 during the Battle of Midway. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism while leading his men against a vastly superior force of Japanese bombers and fighters.
Major Parks was a 1934 graduate of the US Naval Academy, and was appointed 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps on 1 June 1934. At the time of his death he commanded Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-221 "Fighting Falcons."
The USS Floyd B. Parks, DD-884 was named in his honor. His widow was given the honor of being the ship's sponsor at its launching on 31 March 1945.
The citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Floyd Bruce Parks (0-5006), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Squadron Commander and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Leading his squadron in a dauntless and aggressive attack against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Major Parks aided in disruption the plans of the enemy and lessening the effectiveness of their attack, thereby contributing materially to the success of our forces. As a result of his courageous and daring tactics and because of the circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that Major Parks gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. He displayed the characteristics of a fine leader and excellent airman in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942. Born: January 16, 1911 at Salisbury, Missouri. Home Town: Salisbury, Missouri.
Notes: Parent links allowed on 19 Nov 2014 per auto SAC. On 29 Sep 2020 his place of death was allowed per auto SAC.
Major Parks was a 1934 graduate of the US Naval Academy, and was appointed 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps on 1 June 1934. At the time of his death he commanded Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-221 "Fighting Falcons."
The USS Floyd B. Parks, DD-884 was named in his honor. His widow was given the honor of being the ship's sponsor at its launching on 31 March 1945.
The citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Floyd Bruce Parks (0-5006), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Squadron Commander and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Leading his squadron in a dauntless and aggressive attack against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Major Parks aided in disruption the plans of the enemy and lessening the effectiveness of their attack, thereby contributing materially to the success of our forces. As a result of his courageous and daring tactics and because of the circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that Major Parks gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. He displayed the characteristics of a fine leader and excellent airman in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942. Born: January 16, 1911 at Salisbury, Missouri. Home Town: Salisbury, Missouri.
Notes: Parent links allowed on 19 Nov 2014 per auto SAC. On 29 Sep 2020 his place of death was allowed per auto SAC.
Floyd Bruce Parks was born on 16 January 1911 at Salisbury, Missouri, and was killed in action over the Pacific on 4 June 1942 during the Battle of Midway. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism while leading his men against a vastly superior force of Japanese bombers and fighters.
Major Parks was a 1934 graduate of the US Naval Academy, and was appointed 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps on 1 June 1934. At the time of his death he commanded Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-221 "Fighting Falcons."
The USS Floyd B. Parks, DD-884 was named in his honor. His widow was given the honor of being the ship's sponsor at its launching on 31 March 1945.
The citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Floyd Bruce Parks (0-5006), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Squadron Commander and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Leading his squadron in a dauntless and aggressive attack against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Major Parks aided in disruption the plans of the enemy and lessening the effectiveness of their attack, thereby contributing materially to the success of our forces. As a result of his courageous and daring tactics and because of the circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that Major Parks gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. He displayed the characteristics of a fine leader and excellent airman in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942. Born: January 16, 1911 at Salisbury, Missouri. Home Town: Salisbury, Missouri.
Notes: Parent links allowed on 19 Nov 2014 per auto SAC. On 29 Sep 2020 his place of death was allowed per auto SAC.
Major Parks was a 1934 graduate of the US Naval Academy, and was appointed 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps on 1 June 1934. At the time of his death he commanded Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-221 "Fighting Falcons."
The USS Floyd B. Parks, DD-884 was named in his honor. His widow was given the honor of being the ship's sponsor at its launching on 31 March 1945.
The citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Floyd Bruce Parks (0-5006), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Squadron Commander and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Leading his squadron in a dauntless and aggressive attack against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Major Parks aided in disruption the plans of the enemy and lessening the effectiveness of their attack, thereby contributing materially to the success of our forces. As a result of his courageous and daring tactics and because of the circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that Major Parks gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. He displayed the characteristics of a fine leader and excellent airman in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942. Born: January 16, 1911 at Salisbury, Missouri. Home Town: Salisbury, Missouri.
Notes: Parent links allowed on 19 Nov 2014 per auto SAC. On 29 Sep 2020 his place of death was allowed per auto SAC.
Inscription
MAJOR USMC MISSOURI (Honolulu) / In Memoriam / PARKS / MAJ. FLOYD B. (Salisbury)
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Missouri. Tablet of Missing, Honolulu, plus another cenotaph in the Salisbury City Cem., MO.
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