The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) George E. Parker, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Medeah Ferme, France, 8 October 1918. Gassed several times and his gas mask and pistol clip shot from his belt while going through a barrage, Lieutenant Parker continued to lead his company forward to its objective. He continually took and held first-line positions and repulsed several counterattacks. When the commanding officer of his battalion was cut off by the enemy he organized the battalion and held off repeated counterattacks, the while greatly outnumbered and fighting on three sides.