Lewis Smith Parks

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lewis Smith Parks, Captain, U.S. Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. POMPANO (SS-181), on the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine during the period 20 April 1942 to 18 June 1942, in enemy controlled waters of the East China Sea. During an aggressive and successful patrol in enemy Japanese controlled waters, Captain Parks pressed home every favorable attack opportunity with courageous skill and efficiency, successfully destroying a total of 16,485 tons of Japanese shipping despite vigorous anti-submarine measures on the part of the enemy. Through his experience and sound judgment Captain Parks brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lewis Smith Parks, Captain, U.S. Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Submarine Coordinated Attack Group Number NINE, on board the U.S.S. PARCHE (SS-384), during the FIRST and SECOND War Patrols of that vessel during the period 13 April 1944 to 1 August 1944, during operations against Japanese shipping off the Luzon Straits and in the South China Sea. During these attacks seven enemy ships and two armed patrol craft totaling 57,000 tons were sunk and five additional enemy ships totaling 33,930 tons were damaged in the face of severe enemy countermeasures. Through his experience and sound judgment Captain Parks brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lewis Smith Parks, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. POMPANO (SS-181), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 18 December 1941 to 31 January 1942, in enemy controlled waters near Wake Island. During this aggressive war patrol, Lieutenant Commander Parks sighted a 17,000-ton enemy ship and was maneuvering into position to fire his torpedoes when his submarine was discovered by Japanese planes and surface craft. Bombs and depth charges were dropped immediately, but Lieutenant Commander Parks maneuvered his submarine into position for the attack, opened fire with torpedoes, sank his quarry. Despite the severe enemy bombing and depth charge attacks that partially disabled his submarine, he coolly directed his ship in a subsequent escape without injury to personnel or further injury to his ship. Through his experience and sound judgment Lieutenant Commander Parks brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 302 (May 1942)