World War II Navy Cross and Silver Star Recipient. On June 27, 1941 which was prior to US involvement in World War II, he enlisted in the US Navy. His initial assignment that August was as a Hospitalman Apprentice at the US Naval Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. He was promoted to Hospital Corpsman in October and moved to the US Naval Hospital at the US Marine Corps Training Base in Quantico, Virginia. On March 29, 1942, he was assigned to the First Raider Battalion, Fleet Marine Force and was with them when the unit was sent to the South Pacific. During the night of September 13 and into the next day, his unit fought against the Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. He was later killed in action on July 20, 1943 at New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands. In addition to the Navy Cross for his courageous actions, he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. His Navy Cross citation: "The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (posthumously) to Thaddeus Parker, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Company Corpsman with the First Marine Raider Battalion during an engagement with enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 13 to 14 September 1942. When his company was almost completely surrounded by the Japanese and under attack from all directions, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Parker, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, constantly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for and evacuate the wounded. As a result of his dauntless courage and outstanding devotion to duty, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Parker undoubtedly saved the lives of many of the injured who otherwise might have perished. His courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country." The USS Thaddeus Parker (DE-369) was commissioned in his honor. (bio by J.Sullivan)
World War II Navy Cross and Silver Star Recipient. On June 27, 1941 which was prior to US involvement in World War II, he enlisted in the US Navy. His initial assignment that August was as a Hospitalman Apprentice at the US Naval Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. He was promoted to Hospital Corpsman in October and moved to the US Naval Hospital at the US Marine Corps Training Base in Quantico, Virginia. On March 29, 1942, he was assigned to the First Raider Battalion, Fleet Marine Force and was with them when the unit was sent to the South Pacific. During the night of September 13 and into the next day, his unit fought against the Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. He was later killed in action on July 20, 1943 at New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands. In addition to the Navy Cross for his courageous actions, he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. His Navy Cross citation: "The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (posthumously) to Thaddeus Parker, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Company Corpsman with the First Marine Raider Battalion during an engagement with enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 13 to 14 September 1942. When his company was almost completely surrounded by the Japanese and under attack from all directions, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Parker, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, constantly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for and evacuate the wounded. As a result of his dauntless courage and outstanding devotion to duty, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Parker undoubtedly saved the lives of many of the injured who otherwise might have perished. His courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country." The USS Thaddeus Parker (DE-369) was commissioned in his honor. (bio by J.Sullivan)
Inscription
Thaddeus Parker
Pharmacist's Mate 2C USN
Florida July 20 1943
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