The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class George R. Parker, Jr. (MCSN: 329765), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a machine gunner of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 18 May 1945. After his company had seized a strategic objective on the Naha-Shuri line and the enemy was observed forming for a counter attack, Private First Class Parker was ordered to displace his gun forward to fire into the Japanese group. Unable to set up his gun because of a damaged tripod, he advanced through heavy hostile fire to the top of the ridge. Remaining in an exposed position in order to fire his machine gun from the hip, he inflicted heavy casualties among the enemy and broke up the counter attack. By his initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty, Private First Class Parke was instrumental in holding the position and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.