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 Private William E. Parker (ASN: 2993207), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 323d Infantry Regiment, 81st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Bois-de-Manheulles, France, November 9 – 11, 1918. Private Parker gave proof of unhesitating devotion to duty and disregard for personal safety, by continually volunteering and carrying messages to various units, crossing zones swept by machine-gun and artillery fire.