Pvt Charles Fred Parks

Coastal Artillery

166th Aero Squadron (transfer pending)

Charles “Fred” Parks was Jim Parks’ Father. Parks joined the Coastal Artillery in 1917 and was sent overseas soon after.

He was to transfer to the 166th Aero Squadron as an Observer under his cousin Capt. Victor Parks. However, Parks was gassed in the Argone Offensive when he tried to save his French Command Officer’s life by buddying his working gas mask and was invalided out of the war.

After the War, Parks invited many of his former Military Friends to his home during the 1930’s & 40’s. It was during these visits that Jim Parks became fascinated with World War I Aviation History.