George E. Parker manuscript collection

George Everett Parker, Jr. served in World War I and received several commendations for his service. He was born in 1881 and was raised in Baltimore. He was active in rowing and competed with the Arundel Boat Club. He joined the army in 1917, where he reached the rank of corporal before being transferred to the Army Officers Training School. He fought across Europe, often on the front lines, with the 9th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Division. He was apart of the occupation forces in Germany and was discharged in 1919. He attained the rank of major by the end of the war.

Parker was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, three Purple Hearts, the Croix de Guerre with Palm and Star, and the Polish Order of the White Falcon. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross for continuing to fight after he was gassed repeatedly despite having his gas mask and pistol clip shot off of his belt in battle near Medeah Ferme, France. In the same incursion, Parker also assumed command of troops in his battalion when his commanding officer was cut off by enemy forces. He and his soldiers were able to gain and hold land and fend off several enemy attacks. After the war, Parker founded the Parker Neckware Company in Baltimore.

Parker married Emma Giles, 1882-1959, the daughter of Emma Hall and E. Walter Giles. In 1887, at the age of five, Giles gained local fame when she christened her namesake, the S. S. Emma Giles, a Tolchester Company steamer which sailed from Baltimore to points on the Chesapeake Bay. Like Parker, Giles was active in many organizations, including the American Legion Auxiliary. In 1946, she ran for State Senate. She and Parker had one child, W. Giles Parker. Parker died in 1975.