Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    22d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 16, 1967

    Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 415 (March 27, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Lee R. Bays (ASN: 19760130), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 16 February 1967. Sergeant Bays distinguished himself while a Squad Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. His company was engaged in a search and destroy operation when it came under fierce attack by a large enemy force. Initially pinned down by hostile automatic weapons fire, Sergeant Bays quickly retrieved a machine gun from a fallen comrade and placed devastating fire on the enemy. He repeatedly disregarded his own personal safety to evacuate many of the wounded who were lying in exposed areas. Sergeant Bays again braved deadly fire to reach the fallen gunner and obtain desperately needed ammunition. He then laid down a covering fire which permitted the continued evacuation of the wounded. Learning that the enemy had overrun a machine gun position and had turned the weapon on his own troops, Sergeant Bays single-handedly attacked the position and recaptured the machine gun. Once more, he began evacuating the wounded amid a hail of enemy bullets, until he himself received mortal wounds. His matchless courage, unwavering determination and unselfish devotion to the welfare of his fellow soldiers spurred his men to greater effort. Sergeant Bay’s unimpeachable valor in close combat against a superior enemy force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.