Craiger C. Parker – Colonel, United States Army

Colonel Craiger C. Parker of Lewisberry,Pennsylvania,  died Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2000. He was the son of Helen M. Parker Ohrt and the late Warren Parker.

Colonel Parker enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private in 1963 and attended Officer Candidate School in 1966. Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry, he served as a reconnaissance platoon leader, infantry company commander and battalion operations officer during two tours of duty in Vietnam.

He commanded an infantry battalion and brigade; was the executive officer to the director of the Army staff at the Pentagon; and chairman of the Department of Military Strategy, Plans and Operations at the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks.

One of the Army’s most decorated soldiers, Colonel Parker was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, two Silver Stars, four Legion of Merit medals,  four Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, four Meritorious Service medals, three Air medals, two Army Commendation medals, the Army Good Conduct medal and numerous service awards.

After his retirement from the Army in 1996, he was employed as dean of  academic and student affairs at Central Pennsylvania College.  He was a member of Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club and he served as senior vice commander of Chapter 50 of Disabled American Veterans in Mechanicsburg.

In addition to his mother, surviving are his wife, Sheila Parker; a son, Stephen K. of Rockville Centre, N.Y.; two daughters, Mary F. Andres of Crofton, Md., and Theresa M. Webb of Dallas, Texas; two brothers, Frank  and Mark; his stepfather, Leland Ohrt; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Rebecca Culver, and a brother, Gregory. Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. in Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., with full military honors. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Pennsylvania College Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 1, Summerdale, Pennsylvania 17093.

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