AUGUSTA – A 26-year-old career National Guardsman from Phillips has been killed in action in Iraq.

Gov. John Baldacci's office's issued an announcement Friday that
Sgt. Richard K. Parker, 26, was killed June 13. He was a member of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 152nd Field Artillery Regiment from Waterville serving with the Security Force II element in Iraq.

Sgt. Parker's family has been notified. His home of record was Phillips.

“Sgt. Parker was well-loved and greatly respected by his unit and the Maine Army National Guard,” Governor Baldacci said. “We’re very lucky both as a state and as a country to have people of the quality of Sgt. Parker who are willing to serve and put themselves on the front lines.”

“I was very, very sorry to learn of this death,” Governor Baldacci continued. “May God bless Sgt. Parker and his family. On behalf of everybody in Maine, I want to send my condolences to the family. We will do everything we can to honor him and his service.”

Governor Baldacci has placed condolence calls to the family.

Flags will be ordered flown at half-staff on the day of Sgt. Parker's funeral.

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