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Parrish, Laverne

Date of birth:
July 16th, 1918 (Knox City/Missouri, United States)
Date of death:
January 24th, 1945 (near San Manuel/Pangasinan, Philippines)
Buried on:
American War Grave Mountain View Cemetery
Plot: 7. Row: 7. Grave: 4.
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Technician 4th Grade (T-4)
Unit:
Medical Detachment, Company C, 161st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
July 13th, 1945
"He was medical aid man with Company C during the fighting in Binalonan, Luzon, Philippine Islands. On the 18th, he observed 2 wounded men under enemy fire and immediately went to their rescue. After moving 1 to cover, he crossed 25 yards of open ground to administer aid to the second. In the early hours of the 24th, his company, crossing an open field near San Manuel, encountered intense enemy fire and was ordered to withdraw to the cover of a ditch. While treating the casualties, Technician Parrish observed 2 wounded still in the field. Without hesitation he left the ditch, crawled forward under enemy fire, and in 2 successive trips brought both men to safety. He next administered aid to 12 casualties in the same field, crossing and re-crossing the open area raked by hostile fire. Making successive trips, he then brought 3 wounded in to cover. After treating nearly all of the 37 casualties suffered by his company, he was mortally wounded by mortar fire, and shortly after was killed. The indomitable spirit, intrepidity, and gallantry of Technician Parrish saved many lives at the cost of his own."

Awarded posthumously.
Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Sources

  • Photo: Office of Medical History
  • - Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes – 433 men of World War II awarded the Medal of Honor 1941-1945, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996
    - Karolevitz, R.F. (editor), The 25th Division and World War II, The Battery Press, Nashville, USA, 1995
    - Valor awards for Laverne Parrish

Photo