Parker F. Dunn

Private First Class, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Private First Class Parker F. Dunn (8 August 1890 - 23 October 1918) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

Parker F. Dunn was born on 8 August 1890 in Albany, NY. He enlisted in the Army in Albany and was sent to France to fight in World War I. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts in trying to deliver a message to the front lines.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 312th Infantry, 78th Division.

Place and date: Near Grand-Pre, France, 23 October 1918.

Citation: When his battalion commander found it necessary to send a message to a company in the attacking line and hesitated to order a runner to make the trip because of the extreme danger involved, Pfc. Dunn, a member of the intelligence section, volunteered for the mission. After advancing but a short distance across a field swept by artillery and machinegun fire, he was wounded, but continued on and fell wounded a second time. Still undaunted, he persistently attempted to carry out his mission until he was killed by a machinegun bullet before reaching the advance line.

Death and Burial

Private First Class Parker F. Dunn was killed in action on 23 October 1918. He is buried at Saint Agnes Cemetery in Menands, NY, in Section 16, Lot 69.