The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Eugene M. Parse (MCSN: 316304), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the intelligence section of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands on 29 and 30 September 1944. During an enemy hand grenade attack against the battalion observation post on the night of 29 September, Private First Class Parse bravely left his protected position to go to the aid of a wounded soldier who lay in an unprotected area and after bandaging his wounds, transported the casualty to a place of safety. Although he received shrapnel wounds in the leg and chest during this action, he assumed command of a squad of United State Army infantrymen, organized a defense for the position and efficiently directed the squad in repulsing the attack. His coolness under fire, able leadership and courageous devotion to duty reflect great credit on Private First Class Parse and the United States Naval Service.