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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Earl Wallace Bailey (ASN: 549202), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Jaulgonne, France, 22 July 1918. Private Bailey crawled forward through severe machine-gun and rifle fire and killed two members of an enemy machine-gun crew. He immediately turned the captured gun around and with it opened an effective fire on the enemy, thus enabling a company of infantry to advance.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 22, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Earl Wallace Bailey (ASN: 549202), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the Machine-Gun Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on 22 July 1918, near Jaulgonne, France, Private Bailey crawled through an area swept by machine gun and rifle fire, single-handed attacked an enemy machine gun, killed its crew and captured the gun. He took the enemy machine gun and turned it against the enemy and maintained his advance position until our lines came up with him. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]