Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Wilfred
Maurice
Bailey
April 21, 1924

–

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 15 (VB-15)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    November 11, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Wilfred Maurice Bailey (NSN: 0-263948), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber in an attack on 11 November 1944, against an enemy convoy which was attempting to reinforce the garrison on the Island of Leyte in the Visayan area of the Philippines. On this occasion despite intense and highly accurate anti-aircraft fire from the entire convoy and screen of destroyers, and the efforts of airborne enemy fighters, he pressed home an attack upon an enemy ammunition ship. He made a direct hit, which together with hits by accompanying aircraft of the group resulted in the immediate sinking of this vessel.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Action Date:

    June 12, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Wilfred Maurice Bailey (NSN: 0-263948), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot in a carrier-based dive bomber assigned to strike against an enemy convoy in the vicinity of the Mariana Islands on 12 June 1944. In spite of persistent enemy anti-aircraft fire he performed his assignment in an outstanding manner and materially assisted in destroying enemy shipping during our attack. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 15 (VB-15)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Wilfred Maurice Bailey (NSN: 0-263948), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FIFTEEN (VB-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Fearlessly pressing home his attack to low altitude in the face of accurate and intense anti-aircraft fire from the formidable enemy disposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bailey succeeded in scoring one of eight direct hits upon a Japanese aircraft carrier of CHITOSE class, in a strike so effectively disposed that the resulting successive hits upon this ship caused it’s almost immediate sinking. Undaunted in the face of relentless, devastating anti-aircraft fire, he rendered gallant service during the bitterly fought engagement in which all carriers, a light cruiser and a destroyer of the enemy’s task force were sunk and heavy bomb and torpedo damage inflicted on battleships and other important naval units. By his daring airmanship, exceptional courage and steadfast devotion to duty through a perilous assignment, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bailey contributed materially to the sinking of this valuable enemy fighting unit and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.