Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 23 September 1943 in Detroit, Michigan. Was then 18 years old.

Major posts and stations include:

— Recruit Depot, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California, October–December 1943. Completed recruit training.

— Training Center, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, January–March 1944. Completed basic and specialist combat engineer training.

— Company C, 5th Engineer Battalion, 5th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, March 1944–February 1945. Served as a combat engineer. Participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima (February 1945). Was wounded in action on D-Day, 19 February (gunshot wound, chest). Was evacuated to hospital ship USS Solace (AH-5).

— U.S. Army General Hospital #148, Saipan, Mariana Islands, February–March 1945. Recovering from wounds sustained at Iwo Jima.

— U.S. Navy Hospital #128, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, March–April 1945. Recovering from wounds sustained at Iwo Jima.

— U.S. Navy Hospital, San Diego, California, April–August 1945. Recovering from wounds sustained at Iwo Jima. Promoted to Private First Class.

— Marine Corps Training Center, Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina, August 1945–March 1946. Served as a target puller on the rifle range. Promoted to Corporal.

Honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps on 21 March 1946 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Was then 21 years old. Was awarded a Purple Heart medal, a Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, a World War II Victory ribbon, an American Campaign ribbon, and an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon with one battle star.

Summary provided by great-nephew Christopher N. Blaker.

G. Marvin Parker