The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Watson Osgood Bailey (NSN: 0-17076), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Transport Division FIVE during the amphibious invasion of the Island of Sicily. Captain Bailey, with great energy and professional skill, directed all preparatory training and molded Transport Division FIVE into an effective combat force. By his able and aggressive leadership under fire, the embarked troops were landed efficiently and expeditiously on enemy beaches, thereby greatly contributing to the success of the invasion. The extraordinary ability and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bailey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Watson Osgood Bailey (NSN: 0-17076), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, both in the preparation and execution of the amphibious assault on the Coast of France on 6 June 1944, in which he acted as Commander of an Assault Group. Captain Bailey was in command of a main group of the Assault Force, composed of a mixed fleet of American and British transports and American Landing Craft, which provided the lift for the 115th and 116th Regimental Combat Teams. Captain Bailey brought these ships and craft to their pre-determined stations in the transport area, successfully effected their prompt and efficient unloading, and expedited the assault troops and equipment to the designated beaches. His skill and sound judgment displayed in the execution of this difficult and complex operation undertaken under darkness in an adverse sea, signaled his resourcefulness and outstanding ability, and reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Bailey is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Watson Osgood Bailey (NSN: 0-17076), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Task Unit during the amphibious assault on Italy. Captain Bailey, with great skill and judgment, directed the training, planning and performance of his Task Unit in such an able manner that the embarked reinforced regimental combat team with vehicles and equipment were landed promptly and expeditiously on the heavily defended assault beaches. His mission having been accomplished, he withdrew his Unit without serious casualty, despite repeated enemy bombing attacks. The promptness and effectiveness with which he carried out his assigned task contributed greatly to the success of the landings. The resourcefulness, able leadership, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bailey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Bailey is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Watson Osgood Bailey (NSN: 0-17076), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Transport Division and Commander of a Beach Assault Group during the amphibious invasion of Southern France in August 1944. Captain Bailey displayed a high degree of skill and aggressive leadership, led an assault convoy from mounting ports, through prescribed routes in safe passage to the assault area. By skillful seamanship and sound advance planning he landed the assault troops, their equipment and supplies over the designated beaches on the coast of Southern France. He carried out the vital disembarkation with such speed and efficiency that our ground forces were able to extend the beachhead with extreme rapidity. Upon completion of unloading activities the ship under his command sailed promptly to base ports for reloading and by quick turn around contributed to the effective build-up movement of the Allied Armies in Southern France. The exceptional ability, sound judgment, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bailey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Bailey is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)