Jimmie R. Parsley

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Jimmie R. Parsley (RA18245559), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Forward Observer with a Mortar Company of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Private Parsley distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Ugu-Dong, Korea, on 24 June 1953. On that date, Private Parsley was on duty at his company command post when it was attacked by two enemy battalions. Following an intense artillery and mortar barrage which disrupted all wire communication, the enemy stormed the trenches, penetrated the main line of resistance, and concentrated an attack on the command post. To insure uninterrupted communications, Private Parsley left his sheltered position with his radio and moved into the open to adjust mortar fire on the aggressors. When the enemy had progressed to within a few yards of the command post, Private Parsley, alone and unprotected, met them head-on, firing his weapon at point-blank range and temporarily halted the assault. He then, calmly and with incredible courage, called in mortar fire on his own position to destroy the enemy, force which was beginning another assault. Private Parsley was wounded in the barrage but he refused medical attention and remained at his post, directing supporting fire on the remainder of the enemy until all action had ceased. He then moved among the casualties of his company, giving what aid he could, until he was assured that the position was secure.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 336 (September 11, 1953)