Harold L. Parris

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Harold L. Parris, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 June 1944 near Gueuteville, France. While crossing from enemy territory to friendly lines, Private First Class Parris, a machine gunner in a parachute infantry regiment, approached a German sentry and pretended he was a German officer, then quietly killed the German with his trench knife. He had dropped by parachute deep in hostile territory on the morning of D-Day, and led seven men, with courage and skill and consummate daring, for five days through territory covered with enemy troops. En route, he never hesitated to engage any opposition encountered and left many German dead behind him. When he reached the enemy main line of resistance it became necessary to eliminate the last obstacle by deception rather than rifle fire. The heroic leadership and valiant personal achievements of Private First Class Parris enabled seven comrades to survive battle, hunger, thirst and fatigue and rejoin their organization. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.