The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private Raymond D. Parker (MCSN: 345201), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as a member of Company G, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during the action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands, on 21 August 1942. When a hostile force of about seven hundred men stormed the position of the Second Battalion, First Marines at the mouth of Tenaru River, Private Parker, throughout the 15-hour duration of the engagement, contributed materially to the aggressive fighting spirit of his comrades by his inspiring courage and uncompromising determination. Taking up a perilously exposed position on the bank of the river, he aided greatly in stalling the attack by preventing the Japanese from infiltrating along the reverse slope of the beach. On another occasion he advanced close and saved a comrade’s life by killing an enemy soldier who was bayoneting him. Undiscouraged by the sudden disablement of his automatic rifle, he promptly discarded it, obtained another, and vigorously resumed fire with utter disregard for his own personal safety. His conspicuous initiative and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.