Edward Nelson Parker
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy

Edward Nelson Parker was born on 26 July 1904 in Avalon, PA.

Parker graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1925. By the time the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Parker was a Lieutenant Commander and Commanding Officer of the USS Parrott, a World War I-class destroyer that was part of the Asian Fleet. While in command of the Parrott, Parker was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism and for extreme disregard of personal safety while delivering a determined attack with torpedoes and gunfire during action with the enemy on the night of 24-25 January 1942.

In February 1942, he was awarded a second Navy Cross for heroism in a fierce battle with the Japanese in the Badoeng Straits off the Island of Ball, Netherlands, East Indies. In addition to the Navy Cross for the battle of 24-25 January, Parker received the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry as Commander Destroyer Division Fifty-nine.

He received a third Navy Cross for leadership of Destroyer Division Fifteen aboard the Destroyer USS Cushing during an engagement with the Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 12-13 November 1942. The force to which he was attached engaged at close quarters, and defeated, a superior enemy force.

From November of 1945 to April of 1946, he commanded a destroyer squadron and participated in the Allied occupation of both Korea and North China. Later that year, he was an observer and commander at Bikini Atoll during Operation Crossroads, which was designed to test the effectiveness of atomic weapons on naval vessels. By 1947 he was now a Captain and after commanding the USS Newport News, he was named Deputy Chief of the Atomic Support Agency. In 1952 Parker was promoted to Rear Admiral and, in 1960, he was promoted to Vice Admiral and named Deputy Director of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. In 1962 he was named Assistant Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, which advises the President and the Secretary of State on Arms Control Policy. He held that post until 1963 when he retired.

In Retirement

After retirement Parker and his wife spent much of their time sailing and he was chosen as Commodore of the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club in Pompano Beach, FL. 

Death and Burial

Vice Admiral Edward Nelson Parker died on 15 October 1989 in Pompano Beach, FL. He is buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD.