The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Lewis Smith Parks (NSN: 0-59326), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. POMPANO (SS-181), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 18 December 1941 to 31 January 1942, in enemy controlled waters near Wake Island. During this aggressive war patrol, Lieutenant Commander Parks sighted a 17,000-ton enemy ship and was maneuvering into position to fire his torpedoes when his submarine was discovered by Japanese planes and surface craft. Bombs and depth charges were dropped immediately, but Lieutenant Commander Parks maneuvered his submarine into position for the attack, opened fire with torpedoes, sank his quarry. Despite the severe enemy bombing and depth charge attacks that partially disabled his submarine, he coolly directed his ship in a subsequent escape without injury to personnel or further injury to his ship. Through his experience and sound judgment Lieutenant Commander Parks brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
November 25, 1955 – March 24, 1957
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 13 (April 3, 1958)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Lewis Smith Parks (NSN: 0-59326), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 25 November 1955 to 24 March 1957.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear Admiral [then Captain]Division:
U.S.S. Manchester (CL-83)Action Date:
September 13, 1950 – June 1, 1951
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral [then Captain] Lewis Smith Parks (NSN: 0-59326), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. MANCHESTER (CL-83) and Commander Task Element 95.22 during naval operations off the northeast Korean coast during the period 13 September 1950 to 1 June 1951. As Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. MANCHESTER, Flagship of Commander Task Group 95.9, he led the ships in the naval bombardments of over 250 miles of the enemy’s coast, interdicting vital railroad and highway roads and bridges, inflicting many casualties to enemy troops, damaging warehouses and factories, and silencing enemy shore batteries. His efficient security control of the operating area and anti-mine and anti-junk patrols enabled the ships to lay siege to the vital transport and troop replacement centers at Wonsan, Songjin, and Chongjin, Korea. The destruction of enemy transportation facilities has been an important factor in the success of friendly forces fighting in Korea and contributed materially to the extensive and costly damage inflicted on the enemy in Korean operations. His zealous devotion to duty throughout reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Parks is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Legion of Merit
Commander Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet: Serial 02525 (October 23, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Lewis Smith Parks (NSN: 0-59326), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Submarine Division TWO HUNDRED TWO from November 1943 to January 1945; and as Commander Submarine Squadron TWENTY from September 1944 to August 1945. As Division and Squadron Commander he was responsible for the training and general readiness of the submarines under his command; the record of damage inflicted upon the enemy by these submarines has been outstanding and reflects the highest credit upon his efficient administration. His keen foresight and untiring devotion to duty have contributed materially to the successful prosecution of submarine warfare in the Pacific area. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men of his command, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Parks is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainRegiment:
Submarine Coordinated Attack Group No. 9Division:
U.S.S. Parche (SS-384)Action Date:
March 29 – August 1, 1944
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 Captain Lewis Smith Parks (NSN: 0-59326), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Submarine Coordinated Attack Group Number NINE, on board the U.S.S. PARCHE (SS-384), during the FIRST and SECOND War Patrols of that vessel during the period 13 April 1944 to 1 August 1944, during operations against Japanese shipping off the Luzon Straits and in the South China Sea. During these attacks seven enemy ships and two armed patrol craft totaling 57,000 tons were sunk and five additional enemy ships totaling 33,930 tons were damaged in the face of severe enemy countermeasures. Through his experience and sound judgment Captain Parks brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
U.S.S. Pompano (SS-181)Action Date:
April 20 – June 18, 1942
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 Captain Lewis Smith Parks (NSN: 0-59326), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. POMPANO (SS-181), on the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine during the period 20 April 1942 to 18 June 1942, in enemy controlled waters of the East China Sea. During an aggressive and successful patrol in enemy Japanese controlled waters, Captain Parks pressed home every favorable attack opportunity with courageous skill and efficiency, successfully destroying a total of 16,485 tons of Japanese shipping despite vigorous anti-submarine measures on the part of the enemy. Through his experience and sound judgment Captain Parks brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.