James E. Parker was born on June 10, 1923. He served with the 10th Combat Cargo Squadron, 3rd Combat Cargo Group, 10th Air Force in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. The 10th Combat Cargo Squadron was formed on June 1, 1944 and activated in India on June 5, 1944. James was a Private First Class in the communications shop at the time and was assigned to the unit when it was established. During World War II the squadron was assigned to Sylhet, India, June 5, 1944; Dergaon, India August 5, 1944; Dinjan, India, August 31, 1944; Myitkyina, Burma, June 3, 1945; Shanghai, China, October 10, 1945-December 15, 1945. James flew on the Douglas C-47 "Sky Train" aircraft as a radio operator and took participated in the airlift of Chinese troops to eastern China and general aerial transportation of personnel and equipment. While flying en-route from Chanyi to Dinjan, the aircraft was lost.

The crash site was eventually discovered and the remains of the crew recovered. They are buried together under the same marker at Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Sgt Parker was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com