 It Was Not until I watched my wife deal with our two sons military service in South
Viet Nam that I caught a glimpse of what my own mother must have gone through having her
only two boys go off to war at nearly the same time. Jim and I said good-bye to the
things of our youth as we each in turn left Spring Valley for Navy boot camp. Again,
it just seemed the natural thing for us to do having been aware of our fathers Navy
experience and calling San Diego home.
1941 found both of us in the Asiatic Fleet. I had asked for a transfer
to Asia to be with my brother, but when I arrived in Manila I was assigned to USS Canopus,
the fleets submarine tender. Shortly thereafter, I was transferred to USS S-39 SS
144 Lt. James Coe, Commanding. I was qualified in submarines and received my
dolphins in July of 1941. Jim was serving aboard the historic CV1 USS Langley
also in the area. During the summer and fall of 1941, both of our ships spent a lot
of time at sea and never seemed to hit home port together.
Finally on December 5th, Langley steamed into Manila Bay. My brother was
duty engineer on the Captains gig so I spent the weekend with him running back and forth
across the bay. That was the last time I ever saw him. The war started for us
on Monday December 8th, 1942. Our fishing expeditions had turned into matters of
life and death as the S boat headed out on patrol, and the Langley was to convoy to Java
to deliver much needed aircraft and avgas. On the morning of 27 February, 1942, the
Langley was attacked by nine twin engine enemy fighters and severely crippled.
Unable to make way, the crew was ordered to abandon ship later that afternoon.
|
 James
Delos Parks MM2c USN, was
officially listed as missing in action on 12 April 1942 after reports of a valiant attempt
to make it back to Australia while avoiding being taken prisoner. A more detailed
account of the Langley's last day as well as the ships historical early years can be found
at this History of Ships and Navy's
Page. To further burden my folks back home, I was on patrol for weeks at a time
unable to communicate to anyone. Their worry was great, I am sure, and it was only their
faith and fierce patriotism that carried them through to wars end. My mother started to
volunteer at the V.A. Hospital in San Diego during this time and she continued this
service until several thousand hours were recorded. My Naval Service continued on the S39 and, later in the campaign, the USS Sailfish.
Some of that service record will be documented in the Navy and Submarines pages found at
the Dolphins icon on the home page. When I returned home after the surrender, my
first born was already 10 months old. We named him James Glen Parks after his gramps
who would be a strong influence in my sons life, and an Uncle that he would never
know. Glen grew to love reading and fishing, so we will continue on with the subject
that brought us to this point in the story. |
