Real L. Parenteau
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 18 April 1945, then-Staff Sergeant Real L. Parenteau was serving with Company A, 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, U.S. Army.

On that day, SSG Parenteau’s unit was in action against German forces while in rapid pursuit of the enemy from Heilbronn toward Stuttgart, Germany. SSG Parenteau’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Staff Sergeant Real L. Parenteau (20143979), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division during World War II.

Burial

Staff Sergeant Real L. Parenteau is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France in Plot D, Row 29, Grave 43.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56659285/real-l-parenteau