Spring Break
Former Corps commandant dies
By: Rebecca Skelton
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: News
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Born Oct. 19, 1928, Parsons served as the commandant of the Corps of Cadets from 1971 to 1977, and continued working for the University for another seven years as the director of safety and traffic.
"He was an outstanding, caring individual," said Cavalry site manager for the Office of the Commandant Bob Byrns. "He had a strong interest in his cadets, as well as the Corps and the Cavalry."
The Parsons Mounted Cavalry (PMC) was named for the colonel when three cadets approached him about bringing a mounted cavalry back after it was disbanded in the 1940s. The unit is called the Ceremonial Unit and includes the horse cavalry and artillery includes the horse cavalry and artillery seen at football games.
All sophomore, junior and senior Corps members can apply to be in the Cavalry, but there are only approximately 60 spots for cadets and 40 for horses. Texas A&M is one of two universities in the nation that has a mounted ROTC unit.
Although Parsons is most often remembered for the cavalry that was named after him, the years in which he served as commandant saw a lot of changes in the corps.
"The biggest change would be women coming into the Corps," said Corps of Cadets Museum Curator Lisa Kalmus. "A&M was the first school to do that."
Aside from the PMC and integrating women into the Corps in 1974, Parsons initiated a naval ROTC program, making A&M the first school to commission all branches of the military service.
"His biggest impact on the University was everything he did for the Corps," said Commander of the PMC Cadet Major Gabe Terrell, senior agricultural communications and journalism major. "How he would help lead the cadets and how he gave his blessing on the PMC. Just, [he had such] pride and joy for A&M."
Originally from Louisiana, Parsons joined the army after graduating from A&M with a degree in education. Although he was in the Class of '49, Parsons graduated in 1948 at age 19 due to the three-semester years A&M had set up so men could make it through school before they were drafted. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Parsons is survived by his wife, Graciela, daughter Linda and son Phil.
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