[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S5919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BRIGADIER GENERAL GERVIS A. PARKERSON

 Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, Brigadier General Gervis Parkerson is 
a lifelong resident of Mississippi, having graduated from Gulfport High 
School in 1967 and Mississippi State University in 1971. He enlisted in 
the United States Marine Corps following his graduation from college 
and completed Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA. He graduated 
from Naval Flight School in 1972 and served as a carrier based pilot in 
the Marine Corps until 1976.
  He is a Master Aviator with over 7000 flight hours, having flown in 
the T-42A, U-8F, U-21A, CH-53D, T-34, T-28, OH-6A, UH-1H, and the C-7A 
with the United States Marine Corps, and the 1108th AVCRAD.
  After leaving active duty, Brigadier General Parkerson returned to 
Mississippi and was employed in the private sector. In 1980, he joined 
the Mississippi Army National Guard with the 114th Area Support Group, 
and in 1981 began full-time duty as Aircraft Maintenance Officer, HHC 
114th Area Support Group, in Hattiesburg, MS.
  He assumed command of the 1108th Aviation Classification Repair 
Activity Depot, in 1994 at the rank of Colonel. As Commander, he 
directed the maintenance of over 500 aircraft within the 9 southeastern 
States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The AVCRAD also provided 
sustainment maintenance to the Army Aviation and Missile Command's 
Corpus Christi Army Depot, as well as mobilization of non-deployable 
assets for the Army National Guard.
  Brigadier General Parkerson has received several awards and 
decorations including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, 
Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Medal, 
National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed 
Forces Reserve Medal, Overseas Service Medal, and Meritorious Unit 
Citation. He has also received the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, one of 
the highest medals awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the 
United States of America by the Governor of the State of Mississippi. 
Additionally, he was awarded the Bronze and Silver Order of Saint 
Michael from the Army Aviation Association of America for his superb 
dedication to Army Aviation.
  Brigadier General Parkerson has been married to his wife, Brenda, for 
the past 26 years and they are the proud parents of two grown children, 
Beau and Leah.
  Through his personal contributions and effective leadership, 
Brigadier General Parkerson has greatly strengthened the United States 
Army and the Mississippi National Guard while reflecting great honor 
upon himself, his family, and those with whom he has served.
  Under the authority of the State of Mississippi, he will be promoted 
to the rank of Brigadier General, and placed on the retirement list 
after 34 years of dedicated commissioned service. On behalf of the 
United States Senate, I would like to thank Brigadier General Parkerson 
for his honorable and tireless service to this Nation, and congratulate 
him on completion of an outstanding and successful career.

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