Warren Griffith Parish was born on November 1, 1907, in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Dr. Benjamin Dores Parish and Helen Griffith Parish. He was married to Virginia M. Hamilton.

He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Parish interned at Cleveland Clinic Hospital and was a resident physician at Lakeside Hospital. He had a private practice for five years before entering the service. He served in the United States Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant during World War II. Parish died from his wounds received on July 27, 1944, in a battle when a Japanese air raiding party virtually wiped out a Marine Hospital unit on Guam.

Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant (MC) Warren Griffith Parish, United States Naval Reserve, for distinguished service in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard of personal danger while serving as a Medical Officer at the Division Hospital, THIRD Marine Division, at Guam in the Marianas Islands, during an attack by Japanese forces on 26 July 1944. Lieutenant Parish calmly and deliberately carried on a series of surgical operations on wounded patients. With the hospital subjected to a fierce and organized attack by rifles, machine guns and mortars, and with the bullets and fragments continually penetrating his station, he completed his vital task. When his patients had been evacuated, Lieutenant Parish left his post to render further service to combat casualties. He was mortally wounded while proceeding in front of our lines to assist another wounded man. By his courage, determination, and untiring devotion to duty, Lieutenant Parish saved many lives. His professional ability, courage, and inspiring devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Medical Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

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