Warren Griffith Parish

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Warren Griffith Parish, Lieutenant (MC), U.S. Navy (Reserve), for distinguished service in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard of personal danger while serving as a Medical Officer at the Division Hospital, THIRD Marine Division, at Guam in the Marianas Islands, during an attack by Japanese forces on 26 July 1944. Lieutenant Parish calmly and deliberately carried on a series of surgical operations on wounded patients. With the hospital subjected to a fierce and organized attack by rifles, machine guns and mortars, and with the bullets and fragments continually penetrating his station, he completed his vital task. When his patients had been evacuated, Lieutenant Parish left his post to render further service to combat casualties. He was mortally wounded while proceeding in front of our lines to assist another wounded man. By his courage, determination, and untiring devotion to duty, Lieutenant Parish saved many lives. His professional ability, courage, and inspiring devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Medical Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 342 (September 1945)