The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class [then Private] Parrish M. McLean (ASN: 44025044), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 6 April 1945, Private First Class McLean, a BAR gunner, set out to destroy a squad of Germans supported by a machine gun, whose fire had halted the advance of his Company towards Gemunden, Germany. Without orders and while others remained in cover, he climbed over a dyke and ran about 40 yards to a railroad embankment under enemy fire that barely missed him. Taking up a position that exposed the upper half of his body to the enemy, now about 30 yards away, he emptied a magazine and killed the hostile machine gunner. Although enemy fire ripped his pack, he shot another magazine, forcing five Germans to surrender to him. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.