Victor Parks was a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and was made an infantry officer with the outbreak of the war. He transferred to aviation and was trained at the French aviation schools.
He was assigned to French Escadrille 123 during the Marne defensive and the Ainse-Marne offensive. He won a Croix de Guerre with Palm for bravery during this service. He was made commander of the 166th Aero Squadron, a part of the First Daylight Bombing Group, and promoted to Captain on September 1, 1918. He served in this capacity to the end of the war. He was promoted to Major after the cessation of hostilities. He received a citation for bravery during the Argonne-Meuse offensive was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.)
Victor Parks was a cousin to Pvt. Charles Fred Parks (James J. Parks, Father), and was seeking a transfer for his cousin to join his Squadron as an observer. However, Pvt. Parks was gassed in the Argonne-Meuse offensive in invalided out of the war before the transfer could be inacted.
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