134th Infantry Regiment Website "All Hell Can't Stop Us"

2nd Lt John S Parker

60th Engineers Combat Battalion, Companies HQ & Service, A

John Sherman Parker, son of Edson Briggs and Mary Anna (Lampke) Parker, was born in Carthage, Missouri. There is conflicting information about his birth date. Some records list July 13, 1909 and others list July 13, 1910. He moved with his family to Kansas City, Missouri prior to 1920 and married his wife Margaret sometime between 1927 and 1933. He was a member of the Missouri National Guard and was ordered into Federal Service December 23, 1940 at Kansas City, Missouri. He served in the 60th Engineer Combat Battalion and landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy France July 7, 1944. He transferred from HQ and Service Company to Company A October 10 and was promoted from Master Sergeant to 2nd Lieutenant November 17, 1944. He was awarded a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster for wounds received November 20 and December 7, 1944. He was also awarded a Silver Star Medal for gallantry during the December 7th battle. 2nd Lt John S Parker was killed in action January 6, 1945 in the vicinity of Lutrebois, Belgium. On the day he died, his unit was supporting the 134th Infantry Regiment, removing road blocks and sweeping for mines. He is buried at Luxembourg American Cemetery, Hamm, Luxembourg.

Silver Star Medal

Second Lieutenant John S Parker, O-887698, Corps of Engineers, United States Army, for gallantry in action at * * * , France on 7 December 1944. As plans were being made for the assault crossing of the Saar River by the 134th Infantry, Lieutenant Parker was given the mission of reconnoitering the railroad bridge in the belief this bridge could be used. At the time, there remained scattered pockets of enemy resistance on the west side of the river, with prepared enemy positions on the east side of the bridge. Lieutenant Parker was given a squad of infantrymen to cover his reconnaissance. When he arrived upon the bridge, under unhampered enemy observation, he discovered the bridge had been blown. At this point, the enemy fired upon him from as close as fifty yards. Forced to leap from the bridge into a pile of debris, Lieutenant Parker sustained painful injuries, but refused evacuation. The information he brought back, which included his discovery of demolition charges prepared by the enemy, and which were later removed, enabled three battalions to make use of the bridge. Lieutenant Parker's tenacity of purpose, devotion to duty and gallant determination for the successful accomplishment of the mission reflect high credit upon his character as an officer. Entered military service from Missouri. General Orders No. 59, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 31 December 1944

Bronze Star Medal Citation

Master Sergeant John S Parker, 20737831, Corps of Engineers, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding service from 11 July to 22 September 1944. Entered military service from Missouri. General Orders No. 43, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 11 October 1944