Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 12 January 1942 in Detroit, Michigan. Was then 22 years old.

Major posts and stations include:

— Recruit Depot, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California, January–March 1942. Completed recruit training and sea school. Qualified as a rifle marksman and pistol sharpshooter.

— Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, April–May 1942. Served as a Marine guard.

— Marine Detachment, USS Hornet (CV-8), May–November 1942. Served as a Marine guard and a 1.1-inch antiaircraft gunner. Was promoted to Private First Class in October 1942. Participated in the Battle of Midway (June 1942), the Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal (August–October 1942), the Attack on Bougainville and Shortland Islands (October 1942), the Attack on Savo and Guadalcanal Islands (October 1942), and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (October 1942). Survived the sinking of the Hornet on 26 October 1942.

— Guard Battalion, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California, November 1942–June 1943. Served as a Marine guard.

— Training Center, Camp Elliott, San Diego, California, June–October 1943. Completed infantry training as a 37-millimeter antitank gunner.

— Marine Detachment, Headquarters, South Pacific Area, Noumea, New Caledonia, October 1943–June 1944. Served as a Marine guard to Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. and staff.

— Flag Allowance, Commander, U.S. Third Fleet, June 1944–October 1945. Served as Marine orderly to Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. and staff. Was promoted to Corporal in August 1944. Served aboard the Third Fleet flagships USS New Jersey (BB-62) and USS Missouri (BB-63). Participated in the Western Carolines Operation (August–October 1944), the Leyte Operation (October–December 1944), the Luzon Operation (December 1944–January 1945), the Okinawa Operation (May–June 1945), and Third Fleet Operations against Japan (July–August 1945). Attended the Japanese surrender ceremony onboard the USS Missouri on 2 September 1945.

Honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps on 3 November 1945 at Great Lakes, Illinois. Was then 26 years old. Was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, a World War II Victory ribbon, an American Campaign ribbon, an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon with 10 battle stars, and a Philippine Liberation ribbon with 2 battle stars.

Summary provided by grandson Christopher N. Blaker.

Eugene E. Parker Jr.