The collection of Samuel Iredell Parker is on loan to the First Division Museum at Cantigny from his family. “SI” Parker served as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army during World War I for the First Infantry Division. Parker entered the service on the day war was declared and served through the end. He joined Company K, 28th Infantry, First Division and served in all campaigns in which the First Division fought in the Great War. He earned his Medal of Honor at the Battle of Soissons and also commanded a platoon in the first wave of the Battle at Cantigny. In World War II he wrote “Follow Me” and used it to teach a course in Military leadership at Ft. Benning, GA.

The awards in the shadow box include the following: Congressional Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star Medal, Victory Medal with 5 bars, Purple Heart, the Fouragerre awarded to the 28th Infantry Division, Army of Occupation of Germany Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Legion of Merit, and commemorative World War I medals.

Also pictured is Colonel Parker’s Colt 45 with 8 engraved notches. Each of the notches represents a German soldier killed with the gun. “I want it clearly understood,” says Colonel Parker, “that I have never killed a man except in defense of my own life.”