Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 122 (VMF-122)

    Action Date:

    July 7, 1943

    Commander South Pacific: Serial 001684

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Stanley R. Bailey (MCSN: 0-6772), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 7 July 1943, Major Bailey of Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VMF-122) led a division of eight F-4U’s on patrol over Rendova Island. The Corsairs had just arrived on station at twenty-two thousand feet when a large number of enemy twin-engine bombers and protecting Zeros were sighted in the distance. Major Bailey unhesitatingly led his division in to attack. In the action that followed, he made a pass on the last bomber in the formation and, blasting one of the bomber’s engines out, pressed home the attack until the enemy craft crashed in flames. Looking around for another target, Major Bailey sighted a second twin-engine bomber. Displaying the same aggressiveness, he made four or five runs on the enemy bomber until it was forced to crash land on the water. Pressing home his advantage, Major Bailey strafed the hostile plane until it sank. Major Bailey has served two tours of duty in this area, flying a total of 114 combat hours.