1st Lt. Raymond A. Parker, U.S. Army (retired), was inducted into the Officer Candidate School (OCS) Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Ga., on May 4, 2020, for attainment of exceptional wartime service and distinguished public post-military service both nationally and at the state level.
Parker was commissioned as an infantry officer upon graduation from Infantry OCS in 1969. His first duty assignment was as Airborne platoon leader with the 1/505th Airborne Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. Subsequent duty assignments were as reconnaissance platoon leader with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in 1969, and in Vietnam in 1970-1971 as ground combat platoon leader with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, and assistant G-2 counterinsurgency intelligence officer with the 25th Infantry Division. Parker was awarded a Silver Star for valorous actions taken on July 4, 1970.
As a civilian with undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology and counseling, Parker progressed to major corporations' senior executive levels. He is distinguished for his post-9/11 extreme crisis innovations, congressional and VA recognition for veteran suicide prevention, education on military matters and commitment to various veteran organizations. His military autobiography, "Value in Valor," was published in 2019.
Parker’s photograph will be on display in the Heritage Center of Wigal Hall at Fort Benning for one year and, in perpetuity, his bio and photo will be available for access via an electronic kiosk. At the same time, Parker’s photograph and bio will be on display at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Fort Benning for the next year. In perpetuity, a placard with Parker’s name will be placed on the wall at the museum, a kiosk with photo and bio will be available for search, and a brick paver with Parker’s name will be placed in the museum’s Memorial Walk.
Raymond A. Parker has been a member of The American Legion in the state of Florida since 2010.