He served with distinction during the latter conflict, commanding a regiment, a brigade, and a division, and earning numerous decorations for gallantry in the process.

[1][2] His awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Star Citations, and numerous foreign decorations and civilian accolades.

Parker attended the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

[1][3] In 1904, Parker graduated from the Cavalry School in Saumur, France, and served as military attaché, Caracas, Venezuela, from 1904 to 1905, Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 1905 to 1906, and Cuba in 1906 to 1908.

[3] In 1912, Parker, fluent in both Spanish and French, attended the École Supérieure de Guerre, France.

In 1920, he graduated from the École Supérieure de Guerre, France and remained there as a professor while a student at the Centre des Hautes Études from 1920 to 1921.

He was decorated with Order of the Crown of Italy for his service in connection with aid for transatlantic flight of Italo Balbo.