Ernest Martin Parham was born on March 3, 1922, in Aguilar, Colorado. He was the son of Greely Conklin Parham and Margurette Frances Boggs Parham.

Ernest served in the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Fighter Pilot on the P-47 #42-76126 during World War II. He was killed on a mission on April 11, 1944. 2Lt Parham with his squadron strafed a German airfield, believed to have been Gifhorn. On his second pass on this field, 2Lt Parham joined up with Lt Leyser. After this pass, Lt Leyser saw 2Lt Parham's engine smoke badly and be on fire for several seconds, evidently hit by enemy fire. They pulled up from the field at an altitude of 3,000 ft. Lt Parham called an R/T saying he thought he could make it. Two minutes later, he called again saying his oil pressure was gone and he was baling out. No parachute was seen, but it was thought he got out since his plane was under control at all times. Lt Leyser says 2Lt Parham's plane crashed several seconds later and exploded on hitting the ground.

2Lt Parham is now buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com