Samuel I. Parker

Samuel Iredell Parker
Born (1891-10-17)October 17, 1891
Monroe, North Carolina
Died December 1, 1975(1975-12-01) (aged 84)
Concord, North Carolina
Place of burial Oakwood Cemetery, Concord, North Carolina
Allegiance United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Unit Company K, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)

Samuel Iredell Parker (1891, in Monroe, North Carolina – 1975, in Concord, North Carolina) was a United States Army Second Lieutenant and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Battle of Soissons France during World War I. President Franklin Roosevelt presented the Medal of Honor to Parker in 1937.[1] Parker's other awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, two awards of the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, and the Croix de Guerre, making him the single most decorated infantryman of the First World War.[2]

Medal of Honor citation

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.[1]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. 1 2 "Medal of Honor recipients". World War I War Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
  2. ↑ "First Over There: America's First Battle of World War I" Thomas Dunne Books (May 2015)(Daniel Richmond Edwards was nearly equivalent; Samuel Woodfill received more French awards)
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