Frank Parker (general)

Frank Parker (September 21, 1872 – March 13, 1947) was a Major General in the United States Army.

Early life
Frank Parker was born September 21, 1872 in Georgetown County, South Carolina. Parker was born into some of the oldest and most prominent planters. He was descended from John Parker (delegate), Arthur Middleton, Thomas Heyward and John Rutledge. He attended the U.S. Military Academy and graduated in 1894, after which he served in the Spanish American War in 1898 and Puerto Rico, 1899-1900. He also served as an instructor at the USMA, 1900-03.

In 1904 he graduated from the Cavalry School in Saumur, France, and served as military attaché, Caracas, Venezuela, 1904–05, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1905–06, and Cuba in 1906-08. He was an instructor and organizer of cavalry in Cuba from 1909 to 1912.

In 1912 he attended the École Supérieure de Guerre, France. He was a member of the Cavalry Board from 1913 to 1914 and then returned to the École Supérieure de Guerre, 1914-15. He was an observer with French armies in field, 1916–17, and then served as chief of American Military Mission at French General Headquarters.

World War I
In World War I, he was promoted to brigadier general, and was the commander 18th Infantry and 1st Infantry Brigade and then was appointed commander, 1st Division, A.E.F., in October 1918.

Post World War I
He was recommended for promotion to major general by General Pershing, but the Armistice stopped all promotions of general officers. In 1920 he graduated from the École Supérieure de Guerre, France and remained there as a professor while a student at the Centre des Hautes Études, 1920-21. Then he graduated and instructed at the Command and Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, 1922, graduate and instructor, Army War College, 1923-24. From 1925-27 he commanded a brigade of the 1st Division.

In 1927, he received his LL.D. from the University of South Carolina. He was Assistant Chief of Staff 1927-29, and commander of the 6th Corps Area. He was promoted to major general in 1929, and from 1932-33 he headed the Philippine Department.

In 1933 he received a degree in Agriculture and Applied Science from Michigan State College. From 1933 to 1935 he commanded the 1st Division. In February 1936 he took command of the 8th Corps Area and commanded the Third Army from March to September 1936.

Post Retirement
After his retirement on September 30, 1936, Major General Parker made his home in Chicago, served as the Executive Director of the Illinois War Council during World War II, and died March 13, 1947.

His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, 2 silver star citations, and numerous foreign decorations and civilian accolades.

Association of Graduates, U.S.M.A. Register of Graduates, U.S.M.A. Cullum no. 3592.

Parker, Frank CPT 15 US CAV. French School of Application for Cavalry at Saumur. Cavalry Journal 15:Apr 1905. p. 823-38.

Officers' Endurance Ride. Cavalry Journal 26:Jul 1915, 26-30.

CPT 11 CAV. Provisional Cavalry Drill Regulations. Cavalry Journal 24:Jul 1913. p. 182.