The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Francis Louther Bailey (MCSN: 830799), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Squad Leader in a platoon of Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 22 May 1945. During a prolonged action in defense of an important hill while under continuous heavy enemy sniper and mortar fire, Corporal Bailey observed that two of his men had been wounded and were in an area exposed to hostile fire. Leaving his position of comparative safety, he daringly worked his way through devastating fire to assist his comrades and, returning with one of the casualties, succeeded in reaching a position from which the stricken Marine could be pulled to safety before he himself was severely wounded by an enemy sniper’s bullet. His courageous initiative and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice on behalf of a comrade reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Bailey and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.