The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*PARLE, JOHN JOSEPH
Rank and Organization: Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve.
Born: 26 May 1920, Omaha, Nebr. Accredited To: Nebraska.
Citation:
For valor and courage above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of Small
Boats in the U.S.S. LST 375 during the amphibious assault on the island of Sicily, 9-10
July 1943. Realizing that a detonation of explosives would prematurely disclose to the
enemy the assault about to be carried out, and with full knowledge of the peril involved,
Ens. Parle unhesitatingly risked his life to extinguish a smoke pot accidentally ignited
in a boat carrying charges of high explosives, detonating fuses and ammunition. Undaunted
by fire and blinding smoke, he entered the craft, quickly snuffed out a burning fuse, and
after failing in his desperate efforts to extinguish the fire pot, finally seized it with
both hands and threw it over the side. Although he succumbed a week later from smoke and
fumes inhaled, Ens. Parle's heroic self-sacrifice prevented grave damage to the ship and
personnel and insured the security of a vital mission. He gallantly gave his life in the
service of his country.
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