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 Raymond W. Parker (ASN: 36892553), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, France on 11 November 1944. In the assault against ****, the terrain afforded the strategically placed enemy machine guns excellent fields of fire, so that Company A, 137th Infantry Regiment was pinned down by the intense cross-fire of these enemy weapons. Acting upon his own initiative, Private Parker, a rifleman, accompanied by a comrade, maneuvered himself to a position on the flank of one of these enemy machine gun emplacements and killed it screw. This gallant action, performed in the face of heavy enemy fire, enabled the company to continue upon its mission. Private Parker was killed in a later action. His courage, devotion to duty, and zeal for the successful accomplishment of his unit’s mission are in accord with the highest traditions of the military service.