On the operational mission of llth April 1944 Lt. Parham with his squadron strafed a German airfield, believed to have been Gifhorn. On his second pass on this field Lt. Parham joined up with Lt. Leyser. After this pass Lt. Leyser saw Lt. Parham's engine to smoke badly and be on fire for several seconds, evidently hit by enemy fire. They pulled up from the field and at altitude of 3,000 ft. Lt. Parham called a R/T saying he thought he could make it. Two minutes later he called again saying his oil pressure was gone and he was baling out. No parachute was seen, but it was thought he got out since his plane was under control at all times. Lt. Leyser says Lt. Parham's plane crashed several seconds later and exploded on hitting the ground.