MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE N.C. - Major Luke G. Parker, 37, of Bandera, Texas died in a private plane crash on Nov. 17. He was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
This incident, which occurred in Kenansville, N.C., is under investigation by the Duplin County Highway Patrol, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Parker enlisted in the Marine Corps in June, 1994. After completing his initial four years of Active Duty with 2d Battalion, 3d Marines he joined 4th Reconnaissance Battalion. While attending college, as a Reservist, Parker served within the Deep Reconnaissance Platoon and as the Platoon Commander for the Reconnaissance Indoctrination Platoon.
Parker graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas in May 2002 with a degree in Animal Science and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. Upon completion of The Basic School he attended Air Support Control Officer School and subsequently reported to Marine Airwing Support Squadron 1 (MASS-1), Cherry Point, North Carolina in September 2003.
In 2009, Parker received orders to Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools (MCCSSS), Camp Johnson, North Carolina. He was subsequently assigned to 3d Marine Special Operations Battalion (MSOB) in February of 2011. Upon completion of a deployment with the Special Operations Joint Task Force (SOJTF), Parker was assigned as the 3d MSOB Headquarters Company Commander, where he was currently serving.
Parker deployed to both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. His personal decorations include a Joint Commendation Medal, (3) Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, (2) National Defense Medal, (2) Afghanistan Campaign Medal, (3) Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, (7) Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the NATO International Security Assistance Forces Medal.
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