Bailey, Jack McKinney

Date of birth:: March 11th, 1923
Date of death:: November 22nd, 1993
Buried on:: Florida National Cemetery
Plot: 435. Grave: 138.
Service number:: O-506183
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: 1st Lieutenant
Unit:: Company E, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: August 25th, 1945

"For gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 28 January 1945, about three miles from ****, Belgium. When his company was being pinned down by heavy enemy machine gun, rifle, and mortar fire, First Lieutenant Bailey, platoon leader, with complete disregard for his own safety, advanced 150 yards across an open field through heavy snow in the face of heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire and entered the enemy strong point. He moved from hole to hole throwing grenades and spraying the holes with his Thompson Sub-Machine Gun. First Lieutenant Bailey killed or captured twenty enemy by this action and caused the rest to evacuate strong points. He then called his platoon forward, cleared the woods and captured the rest of the enemy. The example of First Lieutenant Bailey's courage and aggressive spirit enabled his platoon to completely reduce a strong obstacle and permit his company to carry out its assigned mission. His conduct reflects credit on the Airborne Forces of the United States Army."