PARKER, SAMUEL - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company K, 28th
Infantry, 1st Division. Place and date: Near Soissons, France, 18-19 July
1918. Entered service at: Monroe, N.C. Birth: Monroe, N.C. G.O. No.: 1,
W.D. 1937. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty. During the attack the 2d and 3d Battalions of
the 28th Infantry were merged, and after several hours of severe fighting,
successfully established a frontline position. In so doing, a gap was left
between the right flank of the French 153d Division on their left and the
left flank of the 28th Infantry, exposing the left flank to a terrific
enfilade fire from several enemy machineguns located in a rock quarry on
high ground. 2d Lt. Parker, observing this serious situation, ordered his
depleted platoon to follow him in an attack upon the strong point. Meeting
a disorganized group of French Colonials wandering leaderlessly about,
he persuaded them to join his platoon. This consolidated group followed
2d Lt. Parker through direct enemy rifle and machinegun fire to the crest
of the hill, and rushing forward, took the quarry by storm, capturing 6
machineguns and about 40 prisoners. The next day when the assault was continued,
2d Lt. Parker in command of the merged 2d and 3d Battalions was in support
of the 1st Battalion. Although painfully wounded in the foot, he refused
to be evacuated and continued to lead his command until the objective was
reached. Seeing that the assault battalion was subjected to heavy enfilade
fire due to a gap between it and the French on its left, 2d Lt. Parker
led his battalion through this heavy fire up on the line to the left of
the 1st Battalion and thereby closed the gap, remaining in command of his
battalion until the newly established lines of the 28th Infantry were thoroughly
consolidated. In supervising the consolidation of the new position, 2d
Lt. Parker was compelled to crawl about on his hands and knees on account
of his painful wound. His conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self-sacrifice
were a source of great inspiration to the members of the entire command.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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