Norton Lacy Parks

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on November 14, 2004:

Norton Lacy Parks Born 1 March 1928 - Died 15 January 1993 Norton Lacy "Nort" Parks was born in Springfield, Illinois on March 1, 1928 and was appointed to West Point from the 21st Congressional District. At West Point his classmates observed: "Not even two plebe years could mar Nort's individuality. The division walls often resounded with the arguments of this effortlessly personable scion of the Corn Belt. A zest for Army life, coupled with a genuine good nature, stands him well in the eyes of his classmates. We don't believe that any girl failed to be impressed by his lively wit and charming personality." At West Point Nort went out for the Ski, Pistol and Skeet Clubs, the Dialectic Society, and was on the Howitzer staff all four years. He was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. On graduation Nort went in the Infantry. After attending the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning he was assigned to the 34th Infantry Regiment in Japan where he served until 1952 when he went to Korea with the 45th Division and served until he was wounded in combat and was awarded Purple Heart for wounds in action against an enemy. From 1952 to 1954, he was assigned to Camp Drake. He was then named Company Commander with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Division until 1954. In 1956, Nort attended the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, California then went to the Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. On completion of this specialized training, he became an Area Specialist in Germany and served in that capacity until 1958. Next Nort was assigned to the 7th Army and served as Company Commander with the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division from 1960 to 1961. In 1961, Nort resigned his Captain's commission and became a High School Mathematics and Science Teacher a position he held until his death on 15 January 1993. Nort's widow Charlotte makes her home in Waterville, New York. The November 1997 Assembly noted, "Charlotte Parks retired from teaching/administrator since Norton's death and takes college courses, travels to visit friends, and vacations at their condo in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Their son Michael and wife Cynthia live in St. Petersburg, FL, where he is commander of the USCG cutter Venturous. jac; 18431, wc 359 (9/29/2000)

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