James K. Parsons | |
|---|---|
 Parsons as a Naval War College student in 1925 | |
| Born | February 11, 1877 Rockford, Alabama, United States |
| Died | November 8, 1960 (aged 83) Venice, Italy |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1898–1941 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | First United States Army Third Corps Area 2nd Infantry Division 5th Infantry Brigade 23rd Infantry Brigade 9th Coast Artillery District United States Army Armor School Embarkation Center, Saint-Nazaire 39th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Spanish–American War Philippine Insurrection World War I World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Purple Heart |
| Spouse(s) | Volinda Lucy Henderson (m. 1904–1957, her death) |
| Relations | Lewis E. Parsons (grandfather) |
James Kelly Parsons (February 11, 1877 – November 8, 1960) was a career officer in the United States Army. He attained the rank of major general, and was notable for his command of the 39th Infantry Regiment in France during World War I, and his post-war command of the Army's tank school, 23rd Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Brigade, and 2nd Infantry Division. He closed his career as commander of Third Corps Area and interim commander of the First United States Army, positions in which he supervised training exercises designed to prepare units for overseas service as the Army began to expand at the start of World War II.