Walter G. Parker

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Walter G. Parker (207642), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Runner in a Rifle Platoon of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 18 May 1945. Occupying a shell crater with his platoon leader and another Marine during an enemy counterattack against his company’s position, Corporal Parker immediately picked up a grenade thrown into his foxhole by the Japanese and threw it back before it could explode. Lacking sufficient time to throw out two other enemy grenades which landed among his group in rapid succession, he unhesitatingly hurled himself over the missiles despite his knowledge that his action meant almost certain death and, smothering the explosions with his body, saved his platoon leader and his other companion from destruction. His courageous determination, gallant fortitude and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 98300