The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Delbert M. Bailey, United States Navy, for heroism while serving on board the U.S.S. LCT-217 during the advanced landings in the Anzio – Nettuno areas, Italy, on 29 January 1944. When the S.S. SAMUEL HUNTINGTON was attacked by enemy aircraft and suffered direct bomb hits which caused critical damage and forced her crew to abandon ship, the U.S.S. LCT-217 immediately proceeded to the rescue of survivors. Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Bailey promptly and fearlessly went overboard in the heavy seas that were running and assisted to the limit of his strength and endurance in helping many drowning men to reach life rafts and wreckage and eventual transfer to safety on board the landing craft. With skill and perseverance he continued to exert all possible efforts in the administering of first aid to the injured, in providing warm clothing for their comfort, and in the evacuation of casualties to a field hospital ashore, thereby contributing to the probable saving of several lives among the fifty-six survivors finally recovered. The extraordinary heroism, complete disregard for his personal safety, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Bailey were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.