The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Jack M Bailey (ASN: 0-506183), United States Army, 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.