Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Nine: Lieutenant L. W. Parsonson, South African Air Force, who was killed in action in Korea on 6 January 1952

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 copy clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, the last two officially named ‘241686 L. W. Parsonson’; South African Medal for Korea 1950-53 (Lt. L. W. Parsonson.); United States of America, Air Medal, bronze, with two bronze oak leaf cluster emblems on riband; U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; Korea, Republic, War Service Medal, bronze, mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s United States of America Presidential Unit Citation riband bar, in gilt frame; and eight related miniature awards (lacking the U.N. Korea Medal), the three Second War Stars unofficial replacements, contact marks, very fine (9) £800-£1,200

Lawrence Walter Parsonson was born in Victoria West, South Africa, on 29 August 1921, the son of Commandant Parsonson, Commanding Officer, Ysterplaat. He attested as a Private in the Rand Light Infantry on 19 June 1940, and was promoted Lance-Corporal on 14 April 1942, before transferring to the South African Air Force with the rank of Pupil on 19 May 1943. he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, S.A.A.F., on 17 June 1944, and was released from full time Volunteer Forces with the rank of Lieutenant 30 April 1946.

Parsonson volunteered to proceed on active service to Korea on 30 April 1950, and served during the Korean War. For his services with the ‘Flying Cheetahs’, he was awarded the United States of America Air Medal. The citation reads:
‘First Lieutenant Lawrence W. Parsonson did distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights against the North Korean invaders. By successfully completing numerous combat missions in F-51 type aircraft between 27 October and 17 November 1951, he greatly enhanced the efforts of the United Nations Forces. First Lieutenant Parsonson flying at extremely low altitudes did strafe, rocket and bomb enemy, artillery, armament, other war material. During these flights he was in constant danger from enemy aircraft, ground fire and artillery. By his display of aeronautical skill and intrepid aggressiveness, First Lieutenant Parsonson proved to be a credit in himself and the United States Air Force. His actions are in keeping with the high tradition of the South African Air Force.’

Parsonson was killed in action on 6 January 1952, whilst flying a F-51 Mustang 353. After successfully attacking his primary target with bombs, he was hit by Communist ground-fire whilst making a strafing run on the secondary target 15km north-east of Kumsong. He headed southwards, but before he could reach friendly lines his Mustang caught fire and crashed. His body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the United Nations Pusan Memorial, South Korea.

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