ForeverMissed
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His Life

SERVICE, RECEPTION AND ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION

August 13, 2011

UPDATE REGARDING SERVICE, RECEPTION AND ACCOMMODATIONS: 

THE CHAPLAIN AT THE OLD POST CHAPEL HAS INFORMED US THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE BEST TO ARRIVE AT THE HATFIELD GATE AT 12:00 P.M. FOR THE 1:00 P.M. SERVICE. HE MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE OF THE LUNCH HOUR, TRAFFIC COMING IN AND OUT OF FORT MYER AND ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY WILL BE HEAVY AND UNLESS YOUR CAR HAS MILITARY PASSES ON IT ALL PASSENGERS WILL NEED TO SHOW PHOTO IDENTIFICATION.  PLEASE PASS THE WORD.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

 

SERVICES: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011, 1:00 P.M.  -- OLD POST CHAPEL -- ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. PLEASE USE "HATFIELD GATE".  ALL OCCUPANTS OF CAR MUST HAVE A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO ID, i.e., DRIVERS LISCENSE, PASSPORT, VOTER REGISTRATION.

RECEPTION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING INTERNMENT: FORT MYER'S OFFICERS CLUB, LAMPLIGHTER ROOM.

We hope you can share Ed's day with us.  It will be a wonderful salute to him from a grateful nation and loving family.


We have noticed that accommodations in the DC area are limited due to the Thanksgiving holiday, and that most can be costly. With that in mind, we have contacted:


Clarion Collection Hotel Arlington Court Suites
http://www.clarionhotel.com/hotel-arlington-virginia-VA058?sid=xDnOMM.HRpuOgN5og.2&sarea=390242&sname=Arlington%2C+VA%2C+US&sstate=VA&scountry=US&sradius=80.00&slat=38.89051&slon=-77.08629&schain=R&exp=&scity=&sort=&type=destination&map=n&rstart=Starting+Location&rend=Ending+Location&srp=RACK&nroom=1&nadult1=1&nchild1=0&nadult2=&nchild2=&nadult3=&nchild3=&nadult4=&nchild4=&nadult5=&nchild5=&sstate_country=

$139.00 (plus applicable taxes) Please note reservations should be made 2 weeks prior to arrival date to secure quoted rate.

Rate to include: Studio Suite (500 sq. feet) w/ full kitchen

1 King or 2 Queen beds

 

Complimentary hot breakfast buffet

 

Complimentary dinner, as well as other amenities (see website)

We will be arranging shuttle service to Old Post Chapel for the morning of Ed's service.

If you choose to stay at the Clarion, please contact John Malixi directly and reference "Parnell Group"

John Malixi 
Asst. General Manager/D.O.S.
Arlington Court Suites a Clarion Collection Hotel
1200 N Courthouse Rd | Arlington, VA 22201
p: 703.524.4000 | f: 703.524.1046

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


See http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/index.htm for more details and directions to ANC and FMOC.

For additional accommodation options near ANC and FMOC please see http://military-hotels.us/virginia/fort-myer-va.html

 

 

 

 

Edward A. Parnell was born on May 8th, 1926 in Tarrytown, NY. He attended Cornell University before getting his degree from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves in December, 1943. He retired from United States Marine Corps service as a Brigadier General on July 1st, 1976. Here is a more detailed account of his exemplary military service provided by the Marine Corps:

Brigadier General Edward A. Parnell retired from active duty on July 1, 1976. He was born May 8, 1926, in Tarrytown, NY, and graduated from Curtis High School, Staten Island, NY, in 1944. He attended Cornell University, 1944 - 1945, and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, 1945 - 1946.

He enlisted in the U. S. Navy Reserve, December 16, 1943, as a midshipman, and was a member of the Navy ROTC while attending college. He was commissioned a Marine Reserve second lieutenant, June 5, 1946, and completed the Basic School, Quantico, VA the following February. He integrated into the regular Marine Corps in April 1948.

He was assigned to the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC, in February 1947, as a platoon leader with the 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment. In September 1948, he underwent flight and jet training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., and later at the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas. He was promoted to first lieutenant, June 1949, and designated a naval aviator, September 1950.

General Parnell was ordered to Cherry Point, NC, in November 1950, as a pilot with Marine Fighter Squadron 224. He served in that capacity until April 1952, when he was transferred to Korea and participated in combat operations with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing as a pilot with Marine Fighter Squadron 311, and later, as Adjutant, Marine Ground Control Intercept Squadron 3. He was promoted to captain in June 1952.

General Parnell returned to the United States in December 1952, and served as Adjutant, Service Squadron, Air Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, El Toro, CA, for one year. He was reassigned as an instructor at the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, Marine Training Group 10, also at El Toro, until September 1954. He was then transferred to Pensacola, serving as a flight instructor, Primary and Advanced Training, and later as Executive Officer, Marine Aviation Detachment there.

In April 1957, General Parnell joined the 1st Marine Brigade in Hawaii, as Assistant G-1 Officer, later serving at the S-1 Officer, Marine Attack Squadron 214. He was promotion to major in July 1957, and in February 1959, was transferred to Iwakuni, Japan, serving as the Assistant G-1 Officer 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

General Parnell returned to Cherry Point in October 1959 taking command of the Overhaul/Repair Squadron. He remained in that position until June 1961, when he became Assistant G-1 of the Air Station. He completed the Amphibious Warfare School, Senior Course, Quantico, in June 1963 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel the following July.

He next reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington DC, as a team inspector in the Office of the Inspector General of the Marine Corps. He later served as the assistant Head Enlisted Assignment Branch until August 1966, when he attended the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA graduating in June 1967.

From July to September 1967, General Parnell underwent helicopter transition training with marine aircraft group 26 New River, Jacksonville, NC. He was ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps the following October as a special projects officer in the G-1 Division until June l968.

He was promoted to colonel in July 1968, and transferred to the Republic of Vietnam as G-1 Officer, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, serving later as Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 39, also in Vietnam. In September 1969, he was reassigned to Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in Hawaii, as Deputy, and later, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1.

General Parnell returned to Headquarters Marine Corps in September 1972, and served as the assistant G-1. He was promoted to brigadier general, June 1, 1973, and the following October was redesignated as the Director, Manpower, Plans and Policy Division, Manpower Department. He was assigned duty as Director J-l, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, DC, in June 1974, and remained in that billet until his retirement on July 1, 1976.

Brigadier General Parnell and his wife, the former Nancy Crawford of York, Pennsylvania, have six children, Donald, Gail, Sharon, Peggy, Lisa and Gretchen.

General Parnell's decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with Combat "V", and one gold star in lieu of second award, the Meritorious Service Medal the Air Medal with two gold stars and bronze Numeral "7" the Navy Unit Commendation, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, the Korean Service Medal with three stars, the Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with silver star, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

Ed passed away at The University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center due to complications from an accident he suffered in the ocean in Ocean City, MD. He was surrounded by his friends and family at the time of his death and the doctors assured us that he felt no pain. Although his death was sudden, it is comforting knowing that he died doing what he loved surrounded by the people that loved him. 

Ed was a spectacular father and mentor throughout his life. He raised four children with his former wife Majorie, now deceased, Donald, Gail, Peggy and Sharon. He also had two stepchildren, Gretchen (my mother) and Lisa. He is survived by his wife Nancy. Nancy is receiving mail at 10721 Timberidge Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039. 

Ed's remains are currently in the care of the Marine Corps. Full military services will be announced in the coming weeks. We know that the service will be held at Arlington National Cemetary per his wishes. Specific detials will be forthcoming. 

I have only known Ed for the 24 years that I have been alive and have only included a tiny portion of his spectacular life here. I would encourage anyone who has any stories or memories about his earlier life to join this website and share them with us here. It would mean the world to his wife and the rest of our family. Also, please keep checking this site as we will be continually adding new stories and pictures. 

Thank You and God Bless,

Will