US Naval Reserve Midshipmens School - Capstan Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

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gndigh folzn foaaplz farle f Juedaf of ,Honor ' ' lo Announcement washma e on De- cember 21 of the posthumous award- ing of the Congressional Metal of Honor to Ensign John joseph Parle, USNR, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Vincent Parle, of Omaha, Nebraska, for valor and courage above and be- yond the call of duty during the assault on Sicily, July 9-10, 1943. Ensign Parle graduated from Notre Dame Midshipmen School and was commissioned on Janu fy'28, 1943. . - gf if ---,, ,I Nil ,. 1-I gi.-- ...-, A , 1 , fad' N. 'Q'-Q. iex-3 C' t t -. 1 s-1 , il 121 fx ' Sz., if . .-KVM. ' If 1 if 'T .E . - , V. , 1. Z, ,A i AQ 'TA 63n'. -,rl . 4 .V 2 N' 'Jef , ' . . ,GH 4 ye ', 4 xx , ' ff.,-' ' ' . 4+ U:- -'fiqvfw l -. ,. ' 'P W 1: 'b .. -' - -- f 1 s We ij. ff 1 S' ' , 3 t . . For valor and-courage above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of small boats in the USS LST 375 during the amphibious assault on the Island of Sicily, july 9-10, 1943. Realizing that a detonation of explosives would prematurely disclose to the enemy the assault about to be car- ried out and with full knowledge of the peril involved, Ensign Parle unhesitatingly risked his life to extinguish a smoke pot accidentally ignited in a boat carrying charges of high explosives, detonating fuses and ammunition. Undaunted by fire and blinding smoke, he entered the craft, quickly snuffed out a burning fuse and after failing in his desperate efforts to extinguish the fire pot, finally seized it with both hands and threw it over the side. Although he succumbed a week later from smoke and fumes inhaled, Ensign Parle,s heroic self-sacrifice prevented grave damage to the ship and personnel and insured the security of a vital mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his countryf' E131

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DUI.: ls ' fl' -l c'You will always have to iight to pre- serve what you will have won. You who are now offering your lives for your country must live for your country. 'You must have a voice in determining the future, in shap- ing a peace that will be permanent be- cause it will be based upon charity and justice. REV. J. HUGH O'DoNNELL, C.S.C. President Qf the Universzy of Nolre Dame ll ij la. 2 , 5 L . i QC? QM'

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. . . . executive M. D. FAIRCHILD Lieut. Commander Unitea' States Nazpf Coming from the Diesel Training School at the University of California to become Executive Ofiicer of the Midship- men's School, Commander Fairchild brought with him eighteen years of naval experience, a love of the Navy, innate aifability and friendliness and a 'gstrict disciplinary Sensei,-making those who served under him both love and respect him. Since being graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1930 Commander Fairchild has seen duty on many types of ships in the fleet and two tours at Annapolis. He saw duty as a member of Admiral William H, Stanley'S staff on the cruiser Chicago. During the Spanish Civil War, Commander Fairchild was on the destroyer Kane when she was bombed while evacuating American citizens from the war zone. With a young Americanis critical analysis of all those who say Thus thou must do , the ntidshipmen studied and admired their Commander. They will remember him as an oH'icer who justly administered discipline whenever found necessary, whose home was a rendezvous of fellow- ship and cheer, and who was never too busy to listen to problems or offer a helping hand.