US WW II Flag Flies Gallantly Over Historic Sites-- Part 3: The History of LST-466

 The flag was most recently flown over the U.S. Capitol thanks to the efforts of Maryland Congressman Andy Harris.

"The flag has definitely taken on a life of its own," says Parker, who hopes to take it to Europe and have it flown over a battlefield cemetery.  This would be the next-to-last time it flies.  He hopes to fly it the last time in the South Pacific where the LST-466 operated.

Construction on the LST-466 began in October 12, 1942, in Vancouver, Washington, and the 328-foot vessel was launched  November 18 of the same year.  Commissioning came on March 1, 1943, and the ship was sent to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as part of LST  Flotilla Seven.

LST vessels beached their bows during amphibious landings, opening large bow doors to disembark armored vehicles and men.  During the war, the LST-466 was awarded seven Battle Stars during the American advance across the Pacific.

The elder Parker grew up in east New Market, Maryland.  His first wartime duty was as a navigation officer on a ship.  Before the end of the war, he was given command of the LST-329 and was headed from New Orleans to the Pacific through the Guld of Mexico when it had a collision with atugboat hauling barges and had to return to New Orleans where the ship was when the Japanese surrendered.

--GreGen