The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Eirvin Bailey (ASN: RA-14032722), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the Battery D, 82d Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self Propelled), 2d Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Changbang-ni-Hoengsong, Korea, on 11 and 12 February 1951. On the night of 11 February 195, Sergeant First Class Bailey’s battery was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force and was ordered to withdraw. When the convoy moved out he was in command of the lead vehicle. The motorized column had moved about one-half-mile when it was subjected to heavy enemy mortar fire. Sergeant Bailey’s vehicle was destroyed and he was forced to seek cover along the side of the road. At dawn on 12 February 1951, he found no officers present, so he organized a crew for an anti-aircraft firing vehicle and led the convoy to Hoktam-ni. There, he was put in command of another firing vehicle, obtained another crew and voluntarily led a convoy of un-armored vehicles loaded with wounded toward Hoengsong. At five points along the road enemy positions were encountered. He continuously maintained an exposed position in order to most effectively direct the fire of his guns and on each occasion neutralized the enemy emplacements. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant First Class Bailey was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.