SP4 Dempsey Woodrow Parrott entered the US Army from Kinston, North Carolina. He served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion, 8th Calvalry, 1st Calvary in Vietnam from November 7, 1967 until he was killed on May 4, 1968. He died from small arms fire in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.  His name is located at panel 54E, line 39 of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

His awards include the Combat Medic Badge, the Purple Heart Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.