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 Tom Parker (ASN: 34421148), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 11 and 12 September 1944, in Belgium. Staff Sergeant parker was commanding a heavy machine gun platoon when they were acting as reinforcements for an infantry unit, holding the locks at the junction of a canal and river. His men were led through a tunnel in almost complete darkness, ferried across the canal, and placed in position. The next morning a group of men approaching the locks were identified as enemy when they were but thirty feet distance. The enemy opened fire pinning down the riflemen. Staff Sergeant Parker gallantly manned a machine gun and killed and enemy machine gun crew going into action. Despite the withering enemy fire and disregard for the fact hat the water jack on one of his guns was broken by an enemy grenade, Staff Sergeant Parker inspired his men to remain at their guns. This action was so effective that the enemy was completely disorganized, and his courageous act resulted in the capture of seventy-our of the enemy, twenty-five more either being killed or wounded. The great personal courage and sincere devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Parker reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.