The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class] Edward L. Parker (ASN: 37342982), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy. On 22 March 1944, as the platoon wo which Staff Sergeant parker was attached was on a mission to capture prisoners near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, it drew fire which inflicted several casualties and forced it to take cover in a ditch. While the platoon reorganized to assault the weaker of the hostile positions, Staff Sergeant parker prepared a block of TNT and dashed toward the more strongly held house. With hostile small arms fire barely missing him, he ran up close to the house and hurled the explosive charge through a window. While the platoon charged the other enemy position, taking several prisoners, Staff Sergeant parker moved to the corner of the house, picked up the platoon leader, who had been wounded, and carried him to safety. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Parker, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.