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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Lieutenant Colonel · U.S. Army

James Parker

Lieutenant Colonel James Parker, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on December 4, 1899 in Vigan, Luzon, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection.

Philippine Insurrection December 4, 1899

Lieutenant Colonel James Parker was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 4, 1899 in Vigan, Luzon, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with 45th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. Parker was 45 years old.

3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on March 8, 1902, 2 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Major General.

Parker was born on February 20, 1854 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. Parker died on June 2, 1934 in New York, New York, at the age of 80. He is buried at St. Mary's Episcopal Cemetery in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Parker is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.

Official Medal of Honor citation

While in command of a small garrison repulsed a savage night attack by overwhelming numbers of the enemy, fighting at close quarters in the dark for several hours.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, James Parker received:

Silver Star

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Newark — map
  • Died: New York City — map
  • Buried: Saint Mary's Episcopal Churchyard — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New Jersey →

Timeline

  1. February 20, 1854
    Born in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey
  2. December 4, 1899
    Act of valor — Vigan, Luzon, Philippine Islands
    Age 45. 45th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers
  3. March 8, 1902
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. June 2, 1934
    Died in New York, New York
    Age 80.
  5. Resting place
    St. Mary's Episcopal Cemetery
    Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Biography

James Parker (February 20, 1854 – June 2, 1934) was a major general in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the Philippine–American War during 1899. His son, Cortlandt Parker, also became a major general in the United States Army.

From the Wikipedia article “James Parker (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on December 4, 1899

JE Joseph L. Epps Private · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899 Webb Cook Hayes Lieutenant Colonel · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899 JM James McConnell Private · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899

More Philippine Insurrection recipients from New Jersey

HH Harry Harvey Sergeant · Marine Corps Philippine Insurrection · 1900
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.