Raymond M. Parker

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Raymond M. Parker (20361580), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 10 September 1944, in France. On that date, Sergeant Parker, an assistant squad leader, crossed the Moselle River, near Frolois, France, and became cut-off from his unit. Despite enemy action, he courageously organized two machine-gun squads from other men and ordered fire upon the enemy. When casualties were created in his newly-formed squads, he manned one of the guns himself until his ammunition was exhausted. After becoming a prisoner, he managed to elude his captors and escape. Sergeant Parker’s aggressive leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 35th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.