Harry D. Parkin

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harry D. Parkin, Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Hill 378, the Borne du Cornouiller, France, November 4, 1918, while in command of one of the assaulting battalions of the 316th Infantry. Leading the attack, Major Parkin received four wounds from enemy machine-gun fire, but declined to be evacuated, remaining with his command in the position he had captured, temporarily assigning active command of his battalion to his senior captain. Later, learning that his officer had been killed, Major Parkin, despite intense suffering from his wounds, again assumed active command, and under a terrific enemy concentration of artillery and machine-gun fire, defended the position with great bravery and gallantry against counterattacks by vastly superior numbers of the enemy forces. His undaunted courage greatly inspired the men of his command, raising their morale to a great pitch.