Laverne Parrish

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Technician Fourth Grade Laverne Parrish, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty on January 18 - 24, 1945, while serving with Medical Detachment, 161st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Technician Fourth Grade Parrish was medical aid man with Company C during the fighting in Binalonan, Luzon, Philippine Islands. On the 18th, he observed two wounded men under enemy fire and immediately went to their rescue. After moving one 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 two wounded still in the field. Without hesitation he left the ditch, crawled forward under enemy fire, and in two 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 three 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.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 55, July 13, 1945

Action Date: January 18 - 24, 1945

Service: Army

Rank: Technician Fourth Grade

Company: Medical Detachment

Regiment: 161st Infantry Regiment

Division: 25th Infantry Division