The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Wayne C. Parker (ASN: 35873901), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 24 January 1945. Private First Class Parker was a member of a patrol which encountered an enemy road block manned by an estimated 50 Japanese, armed with light and heavy machine guns and rifles, and supported by three light tanks. During the patrol’s maneuver across rice fields to by-pass the road block, Private First Class Parker went to the assistance of one of the wounded members of the patrol. Alternately running and crawling to the injured man, he reached him safely, administered first aid and then assisted the man to the rear. Although both men were harassed by enemy rifle fire, Private First Class parker deliberately slowed his pace to correspond to that of the wounded man and hid him in a nearby barrio. Returning, Private First Class Parker also aided another wounded soldier to safety and left him to guard the more seriously wounded man while he went back to his unit to direct a rescue detail for the evacuation of additional wounded. By his prompt action and courage, he was able to save the lives of his comrades. Private First Class Parker was fatally wounded during a later engagement with the enemy forces in Manila. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Parker, 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.