Anthony Franklin Parker, Sr.

Colonel (Retired) Anthony F. Parker is a native of Hempstead, New York. He completed undergraduate education at Virginia State College (later University) in 1977, graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate. In 1977, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant as an Air Defense Artillery Officer through the VSU ROTC program. He served in the US Army for over 28 years.

Throughout his 28-year career, Colonel (R) Parker served in a variety of key leadership and command positions. Assignments include HAWK air defense missile platoon leader and Executive Officer in 2nd Air Defense Artillery, lead project officer for air defense command and control systems, Commander “B” Battery, 1st Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Sergeant York Test Officer at the Operational Test and Evaluation Agency, Battalion Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer for the 6th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, 1st Armored Division (Europe), and Battalion Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized). Colonel (R) Parker commanded the New York City Recruiting Battalion, United States Army Recruiting Command, achieving best battalion two years in a row. The battalion was awarded the Army Superior Unit Award. He also served as the Deputy Brigade Commander and acting Brigade Commander, 1st Recruiting Brigade. Colonel (R) Parker is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort and is a survivor of the 9-11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

Staff assignments included assignment to the Army Air Missile Defense Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans as the Forward Area Air Defense Team Chief and Executive Officer, primary adviser to the Vice Chief of Staff, Army, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Army air defense systems, primary Army representative to NATO serving on the Panel for Air Defense, and the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel as the Accessions Branch Chief and the Division Chief, Enlisted Accessions Division.

Colonel (R) Parker's military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College and Army War College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia State University and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.

Among his awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit (one oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, German Army Badge, Army Staff Badge, Army Recruiting Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Tony leaves behind his loving wife Michelle. They were married on May 17, 1975 and were married for 51 years.

He leaves behind two sons, Darian and Anthony Jr; one daughter-in-law, Michelle; three grandchildren, Zeke, Kingston and Rosie. He leaves behind his sister, Juanita, and brother, Wilfredo, his Aunt Clem, three sister-in-laws, Marsha, Maria and Denise and three brother-in-laws, Clifford, Walter and Harold and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He will be missed by friends, classmates and by all who he has touched in life.