- SURNAME
Parker
- FORENAME
Otis
- UNIT
5 SF Group (Det B-55/A-503) (5 M.S.F.C.)
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
264624934
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1970
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour (also for other awards)
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/parker-otis.9434/CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Otis Parker (ASN: RA-14668481), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment B-55, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Parker distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 April 1970 while serving as senior advisor to a Vietnamese Mobile Strike Force during an assault upon enemy fortifications at the top of Nui Khet Mountain, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Parker's unit gained a foothold on the southern side of the mountain, but they met stiff resistance from a concealed enemy bunker. Braving the intense barrage of enemy rocket and mortar fire which pinned his unit down, Sergeant First Class Parker maneuvered to a position where he was able to locate the enemy bunker. He then charged the bunker while firing his rifle with one hand and carrying a hand grenade in the other. Lurching forward, he threw the grenade into the bunker and destroyed it. As his team moved forward, they encountered another enemy bunker. Despite a painful shrapnel wound, Sergeant First Class Parker advanced directly into the enemy fire and destroyed the bunker with several well-placed grenades. Although dazed by the concussion from his own grenades, Sergeant First Class Parker maneuvered to the top of a rock formation and located an open enemy bunker. Again exposing himself to intense enemy fire, he climbed a boulder adjacent to the enemy bunker and with a rifle volley, killed the bunker's occupant. Later, as his element was attempting to establish contact with a friendly unit, they were fired upon from another bunker. As the enemy fire raked his position, Sergeant First Class Parker fired several rockets into the bunker and completely destroyed it. Although wounded twice, Sergeant First Class Parker personally accounted for six slain enemy soldiers and the destruction of four enemy bunkers. Sergeant First Class Parker's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Otis Parker (ASN: RA-14668481), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 4 May 1965, while serving as advisor to a friendly force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Parker was with the lead elements of a friendly battalion on a search and clear operation when they were attacked by a Viet Cong battalion. With the friendly position subjected to heavy insurgent automatic, small arms and mortar fire, Staff Sergeant Parker repeatedly exposed himself to assist in directing effective friendly fire against the communists. After approximately forty-five minutes of intense fighting, the friendly company commander was wounded and his troops started a hasty withdrawal inadvertently leaving some of the injured behind. Observing this action, Sergeant Parker disregarding his personal safety, moved forward in full view of the enemy to carry the wounded company commander to a safe location. The friendly troops, seeing Staff Sergeant Parker's outstanding example of personal heroism, rallied and resumed the engagement resulting in the defeat of the Viet Cong. Staff Sergeant Parker's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Otis Parker (ASN: RA-14668481), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 4 May 1965, while serving as advisor to a friendly force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Parker was with the lead elements of a friendly battalion on a search and clear operation when they were attacked by a Viet Cong battalion. With the friendly position subjected to heavy insurgent automatic, small arms and mortar fire, Staff Sergeant Parker repeatedly exposed himself to assist in directing effective friendly fire against the communists. After approximately forty-five minutes of intense fighting, the friendly company commander was wounded and his troops started a hasty withdrawal inadvertently leaving some of the injured behind. Observing this action, Sergeant Parker disregarding his personal safety, moved forward in full view of the enemy to carry the wounded company commander to a safe location. The friendly troops, seeing Staff Sergeant Parker's outstanding example of personal heroism, rallied and resumed the engagement resulting in the defeat of the Viet Cong. Staff Sergeant Parker's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
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