The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign William Rufus Bailey (NSN: 0-325789), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces on 5 November 1944, in the vicinity of Manila Bay. With great skill he pursued a deliberate and determined bombing and strafing attack on a destroyer scoring a direct bomb hit on the bow. His courage and splendid airmanship were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.