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Alton
Enoch
Parker
October 20, 1908

–

May 11, 1996

Alton Parker graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1932. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Minneapolis (CA-36)

    Action Date:

    November 30, 1942
    Commander South Pacific: Serial 00229 (January 21, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Alton Enoch Parker (NSN: 0-71514), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Engineer Officer on board the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36), during an attack on that vessel by enemy Japanese surface forces off Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal, on the night of 30 November 1942. When enemy torpedo fire caused serious flooding conditions in the firerooms, Lieutenant Commander Parker calmly and skillfully directed the efforts of his department in effecting damage control measures which enabled the MINNEAPOLIS to reach a place of safety in spite of widespread and critical damage. His fine leadership and courageous devotion to duty in time of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Mannert L. Abele (DD-733)

    Action Date:

    April 2, 1945
    Commander Destroyers Pacific: Serial 04257 (December 11, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Alton Enoch Parker (NSN: 0-71514), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. MANNERT L. ABELE (DD-733), in action against enemy Japanese forces off Okinawa, on 12 April 1945. Maintaining his ship and her company at the peak of combat readiness as she relentlessly patrolled the hazardous waters off the coast of enemy-held Okinawa, Commander Parker aggressively met the repeated savage challenge of attacking Japanese aircraft, on one occasion blasting two of the enemy from the sky with no damage to his own vessel. Assigned to Radar Picket duty 70 miles northwest of an important Japanese transport area on 12 April the MANNERT L. ABELE was suddenly surrounded and attacked by approximately twenty hostile planes. Fighting his ship gallantly, Commander Parker promptly opened fire on the Japanese planes as they came within range, shooting down two of the aggressors before a third enemy plane crashed the after engineroom from starboard and exploded. Seconds after the crash, a piloted jet-propelled suicide bomb hit the waterline at a speed of 400 knots in the vicinity of No. 1 fireroom, exploding heavily and breaking the gallant ship in two at the after engineroom. By his daring and courageous leadership, Commander Parker inspired his gallant officers and men to heroic effort in defense of their ship despite tremendous odds and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.