Charles H. Parizo
Date of Birth: 1923
Place of Birth: Kansas
Father and Mother’s Names: Henry and Carrie Parizo
Date Entered Service: TBD
Service Branch: Army Air Corps
Service Number: 37237353
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Division/Company/Unit info: 563rd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bombardment Group.
Awards and Commendations: Purple Heart and the Air Medal.
Riley Connection: The 1940 U.S. Census shows the Parizo family living at 431 Humboldt St. Charles attended Kansas State College where he studied Physical Education.
Date of Death (and Age): December 30, 1943 (age 20)
Place of Death: TBD
Grave Location: St. Avold, Lorraine, France (Block G, row 5, grave 9).
Bio: As a boy, Charles lived in Abilene, KS, where his father worked as an auditor for the telephone company. The 1940 U.S. Census shows the family living in Manhattan, KS, and lists his mother as the head of the household, which means either that his father had died or had abandoned the family. Charles attended Kansas State College, where he was a general science major (Physical Education) and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He joined the Army Air Corps, where he served with the 563rd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomb Group. The 388th was a B-17 unit that participated in strategic bombings in support of Allied operations in Europe, and the 388th attacked many significant targets, including airfields in Paris and Berlin.