World War II Honoree

Kenneth Parker

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Cattaraugus Territory, New York

Honored By

American Legion Iroquois Post 1587

PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. SAW HEAVY COMBAT THROUGHOUT HIS SERVICE IN THE PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS. HE RECEIVED HIS FIRST PURPLE HEART MEDAL AFTER BEING WOUNDED IN ACTION WHILE SERVING WITH COMPANY C, 1ST PARACHUTE BATTALION, 1ST MARINE DIVISION AT THE BATTLE OF BLOODY RIDGE ON SEPTEMBER 14, 1942. HIS SELFLESS AND HEROIC ACTIONS ENDED AT THE BATTLE FOR IWO JIMA WHERE HE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR HIS COUNTRY AT VOLCANO ISLANDS ON FEBRUARY 19, 1945 WHILE SERVING WITH COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 27TH MARINES, 5TH MARINE DIVISION. HE WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED A SECOND PURPLE HEART AGAIN BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. AMONG HIS AWARDS ARE THE PARACHUTIST BADGE, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL.