Medal of Honor: Samuel I. Parker – World War I, July 19, 1918

Name: Samuel I. Parker
Rank and Organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company K, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division
Place and Date: Near Soissons, France, 18–19 July 1918
Entered Service At: Monroe, North Carolina
Born: Monroe, North Carolina
General Orders: G.O. No. 1, War Department, 1937

Summary of Action:
In the blistering heat of the Second Battle of the Marne, as American and French forces advanced through the shattered wheatfields and blood-soaked ridges near Soissons, Second Lieutenant Samuel I. Parker found himself and his men facing annihilation. A deadly gap had opened between his battalion and their French allies, exposing the 28th Infantry’s left flank to a torrent of machine gun fire pouring from a fortified German quarry on high ground. Realizing the danger, Parker acted without hesitation. Rallying his depleted platoon—and gathering lost French colonial troops along the way—he led a daring charge up the hill through a storm of bullets, overrunning the enemy position and capturing dozens. Wounded the following day, Parker refused evacuation, crawling on his hands and knees under fire to lead his men forward, close a second deadly gap in the line, and consolidate the position. His relentless courage, leadership under fire, and disregard for his own safety turned the tide of battle and became legend among those who witnessed it.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. During the attack the 2nd and 3rd 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 153rd Division on their left and the left flank of the 28th Infantry, exposing the left flank to a terrific enfilade fire from several enemy machine guns located in a rock quarry on high ground.

Second Lieutenant 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 Colonial troops wandering leaderlessly about, he persuaded them to join his platoon. This consolidated group followed Second Lieutenant Parker through direct enemy rifle and machine gun fire to the crest of the hill, and rushing forward, took the quarry by storm, capturing six machine guns and approximately 40 prisoners.

The next day, when the assault was continued, Second Lieutenant Parker, in command of the merged 2nd and 3rd 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, Second Lieutenant 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, Second Lieutenant 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.