Technician 4th Grade Laverne Parrish
US Army 25th Infantry Division, 161st Infantry

Background
Laverne Parrish was born July 16, 1918 in Knox City, Missouri. He completed grammar school. On March 4, 1941 enlisted in the U.S. Army with the rank of Private serial number 39601126.

Wartime History
On January 18, 1945 he was medical aid man with Company C engaged in Binalonan on Luzon in the Philippines. During the combat, he observed two wounded men under enemy fire and immediately went to their rescue. After moving 1 to cover, he crossed 25 yards of open ground to administer aid to the second. In the early hours of the 24th, his company, crossing an open field near San Manuel, encountered intense enemy fire and was ordered to withdraw to the cover of a ditch. On January 24, 1945 near San Manuel, he again braved hostile fire to tend to the wounded, carrying five men to safety and treating dozens more before he was mortally wounded by mortar fire and died shortly afterwards.

Medal of Honor
On July 13, 1945 he earned the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 18, 1945 and January 24, 1945.

Medal of Honor (January 18, 1945 and January 24, 1945) "He was medical aid man with Company C during the fighting in Binalonan, Luzon, Philippine Islands. On the 18th, he observed 2 wounded men under enemy fire and immediately went to their rescue. After moving 1 to cover, he crossed 25 yards of open ground to administer aid to the second. In the early hours of the 24th, his company, crossing an open field near San Manuel, encountered intense enemy fire and was ordered to withdraw to the cover of a ditch. While treating the casualties, Technician Parrish observed 2 wounded still in the field. Without hesitation he left the ditch, crawled forward under enemy fire, and in 2 successive trips brought both men to safety. He next administered aid to 12 casualties in the same field, crossing and re-crossing the open area raked by hostile fire. Making successive trips, he then brought 3 wounded in to cover. After treating nearly all of the 37 casualties suffered by his company, he was mortally wounded by mortar fire, and shortly after was killed. The indomitable spirit, intrepidity, and gallantry of Technician Parrish saved many lives at the cost of his own."

Memorials
Parrish was officially declared dead January 24, 1945 at age 26. Postwar, he was buried at Ronan Cemetery in Ronan, Ronan, Montana at section 7, block 7, grave 4.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Laverne Parrish
FindAGrave - Laverne Parrish (photo, grave photos)

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