Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist Fourth Class

    Action Date:

    February 1, 1961

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 20 (June 16, 1961)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Specialist Fourth Class Louis R. Bailey, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Service Company, Airfield Command, United States Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker, Alabama, on 1 February 1961. When a jet aircraft approaching the landing area crashed and immediately burst into flames, Specialist Bailey voluntarily risked his life in the rescue operation conducted by the helicopter crash-rescue crew. Upon arrival at the crash site, Specialist Bailey, together with a fellow soldier, was lowered to the ground on a sling. Despite the imminent danger of severe fire or explosion from the jet fuel, he ran immediately to the wreckage. Finding the pilot still strapped in his seat, he cut the pilot free and, while simultaneously fighting visible flames, assisted in dragging the injured victim out of the danger area. Immediately after moving the pilot to a safe distance, several small explosions occurred, and the aircraft was completely engulfed in flames shortly after the rescue was completed. Specialist Bailey’s prompt location of the pilot in the burning wreckage, and his courageous and heroic efforts in accomplishing the dangerous actions involved in this mission are in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.