The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Field Artillery) Milton H. Parnelle (ASN: 0-1171711), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 179th Field Artillery Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 30 March 1945, in Germany. Captain Parnelle was serving as Reconnaissance Officer during his unit’s rapid drive across Germany. He was ordered to reconnoiter a new route for the armored column when a bypass in the road over which part of the column had passed, became impassable. By careful observation and reconnaissance, Captain Parnelle discovered the only passable route was by entering a town from which stubborn resistance had been met by our cavalry. Although being warned that the enemy still held the town, Captain Parnelle recognized the necessity of keeping the column together, entered the town with only a 30 caliber machine gun for protection. Upon entering the town he received enemy sniper and machine gun fire. Aided by his driver’s skillful maneuvering of the jeep, Captain Parnelle engaged the enemy with his 30 caliber machine gun and in a few minutes had killed or driven the enemy from enough of the buildings to permit the column to pass. Captain Parnelle’s gallantry, leadership, and superior devotion to duty, with utter disregard for his personal safety, reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.