The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Charles J. Bailey, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6424), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Operations Officer of the First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, on 1 November 1943. Upon landing on the beach and discovering that his battalion had become disorganized during the extremely hazardous and difficult assault operations carried out in the face of heavy enemy machine gun, mortar and field gun fire, Major Bailey unhesitatingly made his way among the scattered groups of the battalion and, continually exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, led them to their assigned objectives, reorganized the attack on the right of the sector, contacted the left flank, located the elements of the Command Group and set them in action. Having reestablished control of the battalion, he returned to the Command Post and assumed the duties of his Battalion Commander who had been evacuated thereafter acting as both Operations and Executive Officer. Subsequently, at the battle of the Koromokina River, he again exposed himself to enemy fire in locating hostile positions and was of invaluable service in preparing the battalion for a fierce counterattack which resulted in the frustration of a major Japanese effort against our forces. Major Bailey’s inspiring leadership and heroic devotion to duty throughout these furious engagements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.