James Parker (US Army officer)

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James Parker
February 20, 1854(1854-02-20) – June 2, 1934 (aged 80)
James Parker, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Newark, New Jersey
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1876-1918
Rank	Major General
Battles/wars	Indian Wars Spanish-American War Philippine-American War
Awards	Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (3)
Relations	MajGen Cortland Parker, U.S. Army — son; Commander James Parker, Jr., USN — son

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, Cortland Parker, also became a Major General in the United States Army.

1 Biography
2 Military career
3 Medal of Honor citation
4 Decorations
5 See also
6 Notes
7 References

[edit] Biography

Born in Newark, New Jersey on February 20, 1854, James Parker was educated at Newark Academy, Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts) and Rutgers College, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1876, thirty-first in a class of fifty cadets, and was appointed Second Lieutenant. Thus began his forty-two years of military service which culminated in his appointment as a Major General in the U.S. Army.

He is buried in Saint Mary's Episcopal Churchyard Portsmouth Rhode Island.^[1]

[edit] Military career

He spent his early years serving in the Fourth United States Cavalry participating in the Indian Wars of the Southwest. His military career was influenced by the magnetic personality of the commander of the Fourth Cavalry, General Ronald S. Mackensie, a legend for his success as a cavalry commander in the American Civil War. In May 1886, First Lieutenant Parker commanded one column of troops sent into Mexico to track down the famous Apache leader Geronimo and his band, and cooperated with Captain W. H. Lawton and First Lieutenant Charles B. Gatewood when Geronimo was captured.

Later he served as the second in command of the 12th New York in Cuba during the Spanish-American War and saw significant combat while commanding troops in the Philippine-American War during 1899 where he earned the Medal of Honor.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

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.

[edit] Decorations

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Major General Parker was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and three Silver Stars for his service and battlefield exploits.^[2]