The  President of  the  United States takes pleasure  in  presenting  the  BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

for service as set forth in the following

               CITATION:

                            "For  heroic  achievement  in  connection  with  operations against  the enemy  in  the Republic of  Vietnam  while  serving  as  a  Squad Leader  with  Company M,  Third  Battalion,  Twenty-Sixth  Marines,  Third Marine  Division.   On  28 June 1968,  while  elements  of  Company  M were occupying   a   defensive   position   in   Quang   Nam   Province,    Corporal PARKER's unit  was assigned to obtain water  from a site approximately 200 meters  from his  platoon's location.  As  the Marines returned  to their posi- tion,  they suddenly came under intense fire  from a large North  Vietnamese Army  force.  Reacting  instantly, Corporal  PARKER  rapidly  deployed  his machine gun team to protect the rear of  his unit.  Boldly exposing himself to the enemy  fire, he  skillfully directed a  heavy volume of automatic  weapons fire upon the hostile force.  Ignoring  the enemy rounds  impacting near him, he  fearlessly  moved about  the fire-swept  terrain, delivering  accurate fire at the  hostile soldiers while assisting his heavily  laden comrades to positions of relative  safety.  Continuing his determined  efforts, he ensured  that devasta- ting  covering fire was  consistently provided, which  enabled  his  Marines to successfully  maneuver out of  the  hazardous area and  rejoin  their  platoon without  sustaining any casualties.  His  heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's  mission.   Corporal PARKER's  courage,  superb  leadership  and  un- wavering  devotion  to  duty in  the face of extreme  personal danger were  in keeping  with the highest  traditions of  the Marine Corps and of  the  United States Naval Service."

Corporal PARKER is authorized to wear the Combat "V".