Scout Platoon, Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1-37 Armor

Born:  28 Jul 1972 in Kannapolis, North Carolina

Killed in Action: 3 July 2003 (aged 30) in Baghdad, Iraq

Buried: Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, Spring Lake, North Carolina

 

SGT David B. Parson, Scout Platoon, HHC, 1-37 AR, was killed in action at age 30 on this day in 2003. Parson died in the Adhamiyah neighborhood of northern Baghdad when his squad was ambushed. He was shot moving forward towards the enemy after dismounting his vehicle. David joined the Marines about a year after high school graduation, then left after four years to move closer to his mother and stepfather. After just six months back in civilian life, Parson realized he preferred a more regimented life and joined the Army. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and three children, a daughter, Majalya, and sons, Fischer and Wilson.