Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Robert M. Parker Jr. volunteered for active duty in the spring of 1940. He had graduated from Harvard in 1937 and wished to be an officer in field artillery. His initial orders were to report to Fort Knox to the 27th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Armored Division on 23 January 1941. Shortly after this, he volunteered to help form the 4th Armored Division, which was activated in April 1941. He remained in the 4th Armored Division thoughout World War II. His only formal training was at Battery Officers Course #11 at Fort Sill, OK. There he learned much application of artillery. Most of his training, however, was on the job training and experience with his unit. Shortly after he was assigned to the 94th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, he was given command of Battery C. He also served as S-3 and as the Battalion Executive Officer. Eventually, he commanded the 94th Battalion to the conclusion of the war in Germany.
From the description of Robert M. Parker, Jr. papers. (US Army, Mil Hist Institute). WorldCat record id: 61687485
