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 Major (Infantry) Harry D. Parkin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 316th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Hill 378, the Borne du Cornouiller, France, 4 November 1918, while in command of one of the assaulting battalions of the 316th Infantry. Leading the attack, Major Parkin received four wounds from enemy machine-gun fire, but declined to be evacuated, remaining with his command in the position he had captured, temporarily assigning active command of his battalion to his senior captain. Later, learning that his officer had been killed, Major Parkin, despite intense suffering from his wounds, again assumed active command, and under a terrific enemy concentration of artillery and machine-gun fire, defended the position with great bravery and gallantry against counterattacks by vastly superior numbers of the enemy forces. His undaunted courage greatly inspired the men of his command, raising their morale to a great pitch.