Robert L. "Bob" Parsons was born in Birmingham, Alabama on January 28, 1919. His father, a Pharmacist moved the family to Chattanooga Tennessee, at the start of the depression. The eldest of three children, Bob attended schools there, graduating from Central High in 1937. Prior to entering college in 1940, Bob worked with the North Carolina and St Louis Railroad, to earn money for college. The bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 brought WWII to the doorstep of every home in America. Bob joined the U.S. Army on January 28, 1942 on his 23rd Birthday. He reporteed to the Army reception center at Fort McClellan, Alabama on April 12, 1942. After basic training he was sent to the Branch Immaterial Replacement Training Center at Fort McClellan. Later that unit became the Infantry Replacement Training Center. He then reported for Cadre School and then to Cadre Training new recruits that were coming into the Army.

He married the former Margarette Louise Record of Huntsville Alabama, on January 12, 1943, and had three children.

In May of 1944 he arrived in England and then in June he crossed the channel to Normandy. Upon Arrival in Normandy he was assigned to F Company, 331st infantry Regiment and remained with the 83rd Infantry Division for the duration of the war he was wounded twice and was awarded the EAME  Medal with  5 Campaign Stars, along with 3 Combat Decorations, and 2 Purple Hearts.

After the war he returned to the U.S. and worked with the Fruehauf Trailer company for twelve years. He then formed his own business from which he retired from in 1980.

Robert L. Parsons passed away on March 13, 2002, his wife for more than 59 years, Margarette Louise (Record) Parsons, passed away just 9 months after her husband on December 15, 2002. They are buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, also known as Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Memorial Park, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. Source: Find A Grave