The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William J. Parker (MCSN: 409001), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a mortar section leader of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 3 March 1945. During a heavy enemy mortar barrage, Corporal Parker observed a direct hit in a forward ammunition dump immediately adjacent to a group of wounded men awaiting evacuation to the rear. While the barrage was still falling, he ran to the dump and dragged burning cases of white phosphorous grenades to a nearby shell hole. Despite the imminent danger of an explosion he made four trips in all, removing the burning cases and extinguishing the fire with sand and water. By his resourcefulness and cool courage, he saved the lives of several wounded men and prevented vitally needed ammunition from burning. His valiant conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.