Air Force Hero Earns Rare Silver Star after Daring Mission

Clear Facts

• Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks received the Silver Star for valor during a perilous combat flight in the Middle East.
• Parks led a mission that crippled enemy ballistic missile production and saved American lives while under fire and low on fuel.
• This honor is rare, with fewer than 100 Air Force recipients since the branch’s founding.

Lt. Col. William Parks was recognized at the Pentagon for extraordinary bravery in combat. He flew deep into hostile territory in a high-threat environment and led a successful strike.

Parks was commander of the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and directed a major strike on March 27, 2025. His leadership drew enemy fire and protected the rest of the formation.

“Parks intentionally placed himself in threat range of a complex air defense zone protecting the enemy’s capital,” the Air Force stated.

Enemy forces launched precise missile barrages at Parks and his team. For 15 minutes, he expertly maneuvered his aircraft under extreme pressure, narrowly avoiding destruction.

“For 15 minutes, with enemy missiles detonating mere feet from his aircraft, Parks led his flight through a series of high-G maneuvers and countermeasure employment,” the official citation confirmed.

Even after the attack, Parks faced danger with limited fuel. He coordinated emergency aerial refueling, ensuring both his and his wingman’s survival.

The Air Force concluded that his “courageous and steadfast actions directly contributed to the survival of his wingman and himself.”

Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Air Force chief of staff, who presented the awards, underscored how unique Parks’ achievement was.

“It’s a rare day when someone earns a Silver Star, with less than 100 being earned during the Air Force era,” Wilsbach said. “After hearing Skate’s story, his leadership, decisive action and skill in the face of danger, I absolutely believe he deserves this honor.”

The March operation was part of an eight-month deployment countering Iranian-backed militants and drone threats. Parks’ tactics saved over $25 million and resulted in the first AIM-9M air-to-air kill in 30 years.

Six of the squadron’s shootdowns protected the USS Harry S. Truman and its crew. Parks personally survived five hostile missile engagements during his deployment.

At the ceremony, Parks spoke candidly about the highs and lows of the mission.

“The loneliness settles in … and then that transitioned very quickly to elation,” he said. “As I got a little bit closer, the [command and control] agencies and the Air Force team started picking me up, and my requests of ‘Hey, I need help! We’re out of gas. I need tankers moved’.”

Parks said the award holds personal meaning because of his family’s long-standing aviation tradition.

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