Medal of Honor Monday: Army Tech. 4th Grade Laverne Parrish
by Staff Sgt. Chuck Roberts 20th Public Affairs Detachment
WASHINGTON — For his bravery and selflessness during the Korean War, Army Tech. 4th Grade Laverne Parrish was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor Sept. 29, 2023.
Parrish’s award is the first Medal of Honor awarded to an African American Soldier since the Vietnam War and the first awarded for actions in the Korean War since 2001.
Before enlisting in the Army in 1950, Parrish was a sharecropper in West Point, Mississippi. He was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.
On Feb. 25, 1951, Parrish’s unit moved to establish a defensive position on Hill 180 in South Korea. As they advanced to take the hill, they came under heavy machine gun fire, which caused the unit to fall back.
Parrish remained forward of the other Soldiers, exposing himself to enemy fire in order to direct artillery support. Despite being wounded twice himself, Parrish continued directing artillery fire until all enemy positions had been neutralized.
The battalion was then able to retake Hill 180 and continue their advance. Parrish’s actions saved the lives of many of his fellow Soldiers.
Parrish died of his wounds two days later. He was 21 years old.
Parrish’s Medal of Honor was presented to his family in a ceremony at the White House by President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
“Today, we honor Technician Fourth Grade Laverne Parrish, an American hero whose story has been waiting to be told,” Biden said. “He was a brave young man who gave his life for his country and for his fellow Soldiers.”
Parrish’s Medal of Honor citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Technical Fourth Grade Laverne Parrish distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy near Sobuk-san, Korea, on February 25, 1951. During the movement to establish a defensive position on Hill 180, the unit was subjected to intense machine gun fire from a hostile force. The company was forced to withdraw. However, Technical Fourth Grade Parrish remained forward of the unit, exposing himself to the enemy fire in order to direct artillery support. Although wounded twice, Technical Fourth Grade Parrish continued to direct artillery fire until all enemy positions had been neutralized, thereby enabling the battalion to retake the hill. Technical Fourth Grade Parrish’s indomitable fighting spirit and extraordinary valor at the cost of his own life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”
Parrish’s Medal of Honor is a testament to his courage, selflessness, and devotion to duty. He is an inspiration to all Americans, and his story will continue to be told for generations to come.
Medal of Honor Monday: Army Tech. 4th Grade Laverne Parrish
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