The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Donald W. Parish, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Senior Corpsman with Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 March 1968, Petty Officer Parish’s company assaulted fortified North Vietnamese positions in the village of Vinh Quan Thuong in Quang Tri Province. In the initial moments of the engagement, the first platoon sustained numerous casualties, including a Corpsman, and Petty Officer Parish unhesitatingly commenced treating and evacuating the wounded. Completely disregarding his own safety throughout the twelve-hour battle, he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire to provide the injured with medical aid and ensure that they were moved to safety. During the final assault, he was one of three company corpsmen remaining in the field and courageously advanced with the lead elements to continue administering life saving first aid. On 22 March 1968, Petty Officer Parish volunteered to accompany the first platoon on a patrol northeast of Dong Ha. While moving across an open rice paddy, the unit came under heavy small arms fire from a village to its front and sustained five casualties. Reacting instantly, Petty Officer Parish advanced through the hostile fire to assist the wounded. Under covering fire, he helped carry the casualties to a relatively secure area and, upon returning to evacuate another Marine, was wounded and subsequently evacuated. By his bold courage, fearless initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Petty Officer Parish undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.