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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Edward Nelson Parker (NSN: 0-59455), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Destroyer Division FIFTY-NINE, in action against enemy Japanese naval forces at Badoeng Straits off the Island of Bali, Netherlands East Indies, on the night of 19 – 20 February 1942. With the vessels under his command illuminated by the enemy, and under heavy gunfire from enemy Japanese cruisers and destroyers, Lieutenant Commander Parker’s capable leadership and skill in coordinating and delivering the attack resulted in scoring several gun hits and at least two torpedo hits on the opposing forces. Following the attack, he displayed excellent judgment and fine seamanship in withdrawing his division from a situation of grave peril without serious damage to his command. Lieutenant Commander Parker’s conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Division:

    Destroyer Division 59, U.S.S. Cushing (DD-376)

    Action Date:

    February 27, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 317 (August 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then Lieutenant Commander] Edward Nelson Parker (NSN: 0-59455), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander Destroyer Division FIFTY-NINE and in Command, Second Section Destroyer Division FIFTY-EIGHT, during the battle of the Java Sea, 27 February 1942, and in offensive daylight action against the Japanese Battle Line of heavy and light cruisers. Courageous and daring in the face of severe enemy fire, Captain Parker fought his ships boldly throughout this hazardous engagement, going in unsupported and, as a unit of Destroyer Division FIFTY-EIGHT, delivering a successful torpedo attack against two hostile heavy cruisers and seven light cruisers which forced the Japanese to break off the attack and thereby enable the Allied Ships to regain their battle formation. Captain Parker’s superb seamanship and outstanding professional skill and the valiant fighting spirit of the officers and men under his command reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    August 1960 – November 1963

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Vice Admiral Edward Nelson Parker (NSN: 0-59455), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the first Deputy Director, Strategic Target Planning, from August 1960 to January 1962, and as the first Assistant Director for Weapons Evaluation and Control Bureau, United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, from January 1962 to November 1962. As Deputy Director, Strategic Target Planning, Vice Admiral parker exercised outstanding professional skill and diplomacy in carrying out his responsibilities, ensuring the most effective organization and development of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff. Under his inspired leadership, with little or no precedent available for guidance, the first Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) was developed and produced, an endeavor in which the most sensitive national strategic plans were successfully evolved and which later served as a model for subsequent efforts. As the senior military officer in the newly established U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, Vice Admiral Parker, in his role as Assistant Director for the Weapons Evaluation and Control Bureau, set in motion the formulation of his Bureau, without benefit of precedent, and rapidly developed an integrated organization which has provided highly constructive advice on military and verification matters for national arms control planning. He initiated and planned the organization of Project CLOUD GAP, a major joint ACDA-DOD project, whose mission of field testing verification systems is of vital importance to future national security. Vice Admiral Parker’s professional competence and inspiring devotion to the fulfillment of his important and exacting assignments reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Parrott (DD-218)

    Action Date:

    January 23 – 24, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Edward Nelson Parker (NSN: 0-59455), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. PARROTT (DD-218), and for extreme disregard of personal safety, devotion to duty, courage, leadership and alertness in successfully delivering a determined attack with torpedoes and gunfire during action with the enemy. On the night of 24 – 25 January 1942, the PAUL JONES, together with the U.S.S. PAUL JONES (DD-230) and U.S.S. JOHN D. FORD (DD-228), delivered an attack upon enemy surface ships off Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies. The composition of the enemy’s concentration was known to consist of cruisers, destroyers, and various types of transports and cargo ships. Although sorely outnumbered, the element of surprise was used to compensate for the numerical inequality of forces. By utter disregard of enemy challenges and skillful and precision-like maneuvering, the attacking force was able to so confuse the enemy as to gain admittance to his concentration, sinking and considerably damaging a great part of it by repeated torpedo and gunfire attacks. After remaining in close contact with the enemy for over an hour, and after having expended all torpedoes, an orderly retirement was effected. Lieutenant Commander Parker’s skillful handling of the U.S.S. PARROTT and the manifestly high morale and state of training of his command reflect most favorably on his ability as a commanding Officer and his qualities as a leader. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    January 15, 1962 – November 1, 1963
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 317 (August 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Edward Nelson Parker (NSN: 0-59455), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, while serving in the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, as the Senior Military Officer, from 15 January 1962 to 1 November 1963. As the first Assistant Director for the Weapons Evaluation and Control Bureau of a new constituted government agency, Vice Admiral Parker contributed substantially to the formulation of national security policy through a balanced and safeguarded melding of military and arms control considerations. In inaugurating, without benefit of precedent, the formation of his Bureau, whose professional personnel consisted of senior civilians and military officers with diverse backgrounds, he rapidly developed an integrated organization which has provided highly constructive advice on military and verification matters for national arms control planning. He initiated and planned the organization of Project CLOUD GAP, a major joint ACDA-DOD project, whose mission of field testing verification systems for various arms control and disarmament measures is of vital importance to future national security. His outstanding performance in this unique and challenging position has been in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Destroyer Division 15, U.S.S. Cushing (DD-376)

    Action Date:

    November 12 – 13, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 317 (August 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Edward Nelson Parker (NSN: 0-59455), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Destroyer Division FIFTEEN (DesDiv 15), aboard the Destroyer U.S.S. Cushing (DD-376), during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 12 – 13 November, 1942. The force to which he was attached engaged at close quarters and defeated a superior enemy force. Commander Parker’s daring and determination contributed materially to the victory which prevented the enemy from accomplishing his purposes. Lieutenant Commander Parker’s inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.