Jim Potter, Author Jim Potter

Robert Parks was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1919 just in time to enjoy Christmas with his parents, Henry and Lydia Parks, living in McPherson County, Kansas.

After the World War ended on November 11, 1918, Seaman Robert Parks remained in the US Navy. Already assigned to a minesweeper, he participated in helping clear mines, most likely from the North Sea. The monumental undertaking was completed in September 1919.

Standing five feet-four inches and weighing 131 pounds, Robert Parks would have been less likely than most sailors to hit his head on a doorway or hatch, and more likely to be able to scramble in close quarters during an emergency.

Well folks, I had better close. Tell everybody hello for me and don’t think I am having it hard for I haven’t done a lick of work since I left Great Lakes and will not have to if I get a good captain for this work is just like running a graphophone for the family to enjoy, but the object is to keep it in working order.

On May 22, 1917, at age nineteen, Robert enlisted in the US Navy at Kansas City, Missouri. This was about six weeks after the US government declared war on Germany, and four days after President Woodrow Wilson signed the conscription bill that prepared for the government’s first draft of the Great War, also known as the World War.

“The Sheriff was taking my father and several other boys to Topeka, asking in every town if any of the populace wanted to adopt a boy. Henry Parks needed a boy to help on his farm, so he took Robert home with him.”