From the April 30, 2021, Dorchester (Md) Star "World War II battle flag gallantly streams over important sites" by Mike Detmer.
During the war, this flag flew over an LST during the war. LST means Landing Ship Tank and they were extremely important in amphibious operations landing tanks, vehicles, artillery and personnel.
The flag was owned by East Market native Harry E. Parker, Jr. who was executive officer (second highest ranking officer) on an LST in the Pacific Theater of the war. The now aged and torn flag flew from the ship's mast.
Parker served on the LST-466 and two other ships (one that he commanded) during the war.
His son, Harry T. Parker, also a Navy veteran, found the flag when prepping his father's home for sale. With the flag, he found a letter his father had drafted to send to the Navy Department in 1949, listing and seeking information about the three ships on which he had served. One of the ship's names was obscured by damage, but the LST-466 and LST-329's names were visible.
--GreGen
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