RICHMOND.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Harry J Parrish, who defied death as a decorated World War II pilot and was Virginia's oldest legislator, died Tuesday. He was 84

His death was announced from Sen. John Chichester.

Mr Parrish had been in declining health the past sum of two units years, but maintained a vigorous legislative schedule, including acting as chairman of the House Finance Committee, single in kind of the most powerful leadership positions in the General Assembly.

Mr Parrish, the House of Delegates' oldest member, was in his 13th denomination from Manassas.

He joined the Army Air Force in 1942 and began pilot training in Alabama, further was assigned to the British Royal Air Force, where he complet his training.

He was part of an Allied mission to burst lumbering transport planes laden with heavy supplies, weapons and ammunition from India into China across the world's highest mountain range, the Himalayas.

Mr Parrish received the Distinguished Flying Cros and the Air Medal with sum of two units oak leaf clusters.

He left active tax in 1946 but flew as an Air Force reservist in wars with Korea and Vietnam before retiring as a colonel and command pilot.

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