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 The Philippine–American War or Filipino–American War ( es, Guerra filipina-estadounidense, tl, Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano), previously referred to as the Philippine Insurrection or the Tagalog Insurgency by the United States, was an arm ...

during 1899. His son, Cortlandt Parker, also became a major general in the United States Army.

Early life and education

Parker was born in Newark, New Jersey on February 20, 1854, a son of Cortlandt Parker (1818-1907) and Elizabeth (Stites) Parker. He was a member of a family long active in New Jersey government and politics. His father was a prominent attorney who served as public prosecutor of Essex County. His grandfather, James Parker (1776-1868) was a member of Congress. His older brother,

Richard W. Parker Richard Wayne Parker (August 6, 1848 – November 28, 1923) was an American Republican Party politician from New Jersey who represented the 6th congressional district from 1895 to 1903, the 7th district from 1903 to 1911, and the 9th distri ...

also served in the United States House of Representatives. A younger brother, Charles W. Parker served as a justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Parker's nephew

Henry Parkman Jr. Henry Parkman Jr. (April 26, 1894 – May 27, 1958) was an American politician who served in various offices in Massachusetts and the United States federal government. Early life Parkman was born on April 26, 1894. His father, Henry Parkman Sr., ...

was the son of Parker's sister Mary. James Parker was educated at Newark Academy,

Phillips Academy ("Not for Self") la, Finis Origine Pendet ("The End Depends Upon the Beginning") Youth From Every Quarter Knowledge and Goodness , address = 180 Main Street , city = Andover , state = Ma ...

( Andover, Massachusetts) and

Rutgers College Rutgers University (; RU), officially Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a Public university, public land-grant research university consisting of four campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's ...

, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1876, 31st in a class of 50 cadets, and was appointed second lieutenant.

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

Ranald S. Mackenzie Ranald Slidell Mackenzie, also called Bad Hand, (July 27, 1840 – January 19, 1889) was a career United States Army officer and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was described by General Ulysses S. Grant as its ...

, 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 The Apache () are a group of culturally related Native American tribes in the Southwestern United States, which include the Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, Mimbreño, Ndendahe (Bedonkohe or Mogollon and Nednhi or Carrizaleño an ...

leader

Geronimo Geronimo ( apm, Goyaałé, , ; June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909) was a prominent leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people. From 1850 to 1886, Geronimo joined with members of three other Central Apache ba ...

and his band, and cooperated with Captain

Henry W. Lawton Henry Ware Lawton (March 17, 1843 – December 19, 1899) was a U.S. Army officer who served with distinction in the Civil War, the Apache Wars, and the Spanish–American War. He was the only U.S. general officer to be killed during the Philippi ...

and First Lieutenant Charles B. Gatewood when

was captured. Later, he served as second in command of the 12th New York Infantry in Cuba during the Spanish–American War and saw significant combat while commanding the 45th Volunteer Infantry in the

during 1899 where he earned the Medal of Honor. From 1903 to 1904, he also served as Head of Militia Affairs in the Adjutant General's office. During the First World War, General Parker served as Commander of the Southern Department, Fort Sam Houston, Texas from 31 March 1917 to 25 August 1917; as division commander of the 32nd Division from 25 August to 11 December 1917; and as division commander of the 85th Division from 11 December 1917 to 20 February 1918, when, having reached the statutory age of 64, he was retired from active service.

Retirement and death

He retired on February 20, 1934 and moved to Newport, Rhode Island where he died on June 2, 1934. He is buried in a family plot at St. Mary's Episcopal Churchyard in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. His papers are held by the United States Military Academy.Parker, James, Cortlandt Parker, and Richard Wayne Parker. ''James Parker papers''. 1872.

Military awards

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Major General Parker was awarded the

Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a high award of a nation. Examples include: *Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) (established 1991), awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in action * Distinguishe ...

and three Silver Stars for his service and battlefield exploits. Full list of decorations and medals: * Medal of Honor *

Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an e ...

with two oak leaf clusters (retroactive award in 1932) *

Indian Campaign Medal The Indian Campaign Medal is a decoration established by War Department General Orders 12, 1907.

* Spanish War Service Medal * Philippine Campaign Medal * World War I Victory Medal

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.

Publications

*Parker, James. ''The Mounted Rifleman; A Method of Garrison Training and Field Instruction of Cavalry, Including Tests and Combat Exercises, As Used in the First Cavalry Brigade, U.S. Army''. Menasha, Wis: George Banta Pub. Co, 1916. *Parker, James. ''The Old Army; Memories, 1872-1918''. Philadelphia: Dorrance & Co, 1929.

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Parker, James United States Army Medal of Honor recipients Newark Academy alumni Phillips Academy alumni Recipients of the Silver Star Rutgers University alumni United States Army generals of World War I United States Military Academy alumni Military personnel from Newark, New Jersey 1854 births 1934 deaths Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) American military personnel of the Philippine–American War Philippine–American War recipients of the Medal of Honor American military personnel of the Indian Wars United States Army generals