The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] James William Bailey (NSN: 0-684790/1325), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 1 May 1966 as a Naval Flight Officer in Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-THREE (VF-143), embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61) during a coordinated strike against rail facilities and lines of communication in North Vietnam. With his assigned target the rail yard and rolling stock at Vinh, Lieutenant Bailey, although hampered by a compass-system failure, was able to navigate by radar, resulting in an accurate coastal entry to the target. Intense anti-aircraft fire of all calibers was encountered during the attack and his aircraft was hit. Lieutenant Bailey calmly and effectively evaluated the damage to his aircraft by rapidly conducting a check of all airplane systems. He continued to call flak warnings and to check the aircraft while his pilot made a rapid and accurate attack on a second target within the area. Lieutenant Bailey’s exceptional performance of duty during the continued attack after his aircraft had been damaged was essential to the success of the mission, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War in North VietnamAction Date:
June 1967 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander James William Bailey (NSN: 0-684790/1325), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1967 to February 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Bailey is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 28 – 30, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander James William Bailey (NSN: 0-684790/1325), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 28 June to 30 June 1967. Lieutenant Commander Bailey’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Lieutenant Commander Bailey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 28, 1967 – February 18, 1973
Lieutenant Commander James William Bailey (NSN: 0-684790/1325), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 28, 1967 until his release on February 18, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1967 – December 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander James William Bailey (NSN: 0-684790/1325), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 1967 to August 1967 and from August 1969 to December 1969. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Action Date:
June 23, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] James William Bailey (NSN: 0-684790/1325), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 23 June 1967, as the Radar Intercept Officer in the Strike Leader’s aircraft during a coordinated attack by Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN against the heavily defended railroad yards and thermal power plant at Nam Dinh, North Vietnam. In addition to assisting his pilot with the responsibilities of leading the flight, Lieutenant Bailey assumed the primary task of navigational pathfinder for the strike group. Despite the heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missile radar activity, he computed the proper weapons delivery profile and coached his pilot on bomb-run parameters which resulted in the destruction of multiple gun emplacements. Freed from the harassment of the fierce enemy fire, the strike group inflicted heavy and extensive damage upon both the railroad yards and the thermal power plant. On several occasions, Lieutenant Bailey’s warnings of proximate flak bursts were instrumental in alerting the Section Leader in time to outmaneuver enemy gunners. In the face of these pressing demands, Lieutenant Bailey was able to maintain navigational orientation and direct the retirement of the Strike Leader’s section after the strike group had cleared the area. His skill, courage, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 143 (VF-143)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
June 28, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] James William Bailey (NSN: 0-684790/1325), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 28 June 1967, as Radar Intercept Officer in Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-THREE (VF-143), during a coordinated strike against the enemy’s valuable petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL) storage and transshipment areas at Nam Dinh, North Vietnam. Responsible for the navigation of the strike group to the target, Lieutenant Bailey expertly used the aircraft systems and his own outstanding skills to vector his pilot and place the strike group precisely on their desired run in position to the target. Despite the intensive anti-aircraft barrage and increased surface-to-air missile radar activity, he succeeded in furnishing appropriate information which allowed his pilot to execute a devastating delivery of weapons that completely silenced the major threat to the strike group and enabled the bombers to complete a highly successful attack. With his aircraft hit by enemy fire during the attack, Lieutenant Bailey was last seen ejecting from his crippled plane. His professionalism, courage and dedication were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.