James Delos Parks MM2c USN Missing in Action

December 5th, 1941 found USS Langley steaming into Manila Bay. Finally, my brother and I had the opportunity to spend some time together in port. Jim was duty engineer on the Captains gig so I spent the weekend with him running back and forth across the bay. That was the last time I ever saw him. The war started for us on Monday December 8th, 1942. S-39 headed out on patrol, and the Langley was to convoy to Java to deliver much needed aircraft and avgas. On the morning of 27 February, 1942, the Langley was attacked by nine twin engine enemy fighters and severely crippled. Unable to make way, the crew was ordered to abandon ship later that afternoon. USS Langley 27 Feb 1942

Then command elected to torpedo Langely so as to prevent her falling into enemy hands. This remarkable photograph was taken from the USS Whipple (DD-217) and shows the first hit. It is believed that Jim was picked up by either USS Edsall (DD-219) or USS Pecos (AO–6) that afternoon, or was transfered to Pecos with 700 other Langley survivors in the pre-dawn hours of 1 March 1942. Sadly, on that same day, both Edsall and Pecos were sunk by enemy fire in the Java Sea. Whipple raced to the scene and rescued 232 survivors. Many of the survivors, although visible by crew members of Whipple, were unable to be picked up and were abandoned at sea, due to the detection of what was thought to be two enemy submarines in the area at extremely close range. It seems apparent now that Jim was one of these unfortunate sailors.

James Delos Parks, MM2c USN, was officially listed as missing in action on 12 April 1942 after reports of a valiant attempt to make it back to Australia while avoiding being taken prisoner. A more detailed account of the Langley's last day as well as the ships historical early years can be found here at Wikipedia: USS Langley

There Is Much that I could say about the loss of my brother and how it affected both my folks back home and the remainder of the war effort for me. Rather, here among my comrades in arms who by their service and insight already know full well what our family felt then and now, I will offer this poem as a requiem to Jim and to all who gave so much when duty called.

Dedication from "Barrack-Room Ballads"

Beyond the path of the outmost sun through utter darkness hurled
Further than even comet flared or vagrant star dust swirled
Live such as fought and sailed and ruled and loved and made our world.

They are purged of pride because they died; they know the worth of their days.
They sit at wine with the Maidens Nine and the Gods of the Elder Days.
It is their will to serve or be still as fitteth Our Father's praise.

Tis theirs to sweep through the ringing deep where Azrael's outposts are,
Or buffet a path through the Pit's red wrath when God goes out to war.
Or hang with the reckless Seraphim on the rein of a red-maned star.

They take their mirth in the joy of the Earth; they dare not grieve for her pain.
They know of toil and the end of toil; they know God's Law is plain;
So they whistle the Devil to make them sport who know that sin is vain.

And oft-times cometh our wise Lord God, master of every trade,
And tells them tales of His daily toil, of Edens newly made;
And they rise to their feet as He passes by, gentlemen unafraid.

To these who are cleansed of base Desire, Sorrow and Lust and Shame;
Gods for they knew the hearts of men, men for they stooped to Fame
Borne on the breath that men call Death, my brother's spirit came.

He scarce had need to doff his pride or slough the dross of Earth
E'en as he trod that day to God so walked he from his birth,
In simpleness and gentleness and clean mirth.

So cup to lip in fellowship they gave him welcome high
And made him place at the banquet board-the Strong Men ranged thereby,
Who had done his work and held his peace and had no fear to die.

Beyond the loom of the last lone star, through open darkness hurled,
Further than rebel comet dared or hiving star-swarm swirled,
Sits he with those that praise our God for that they served His world.