The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Armor) Kenneth Dean Bailey, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 22 March 1969, while serving as a Pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while he was conducting a routine reconnaissance mission, his aircraft suddenly began receiving a heavy concentration of enemy anti-aircraft fire from a well-concealed enemy force. Reacting instantly, Captain Bailey expertly guided his aircraft in a low-level assault upon the hostile positions which resulted in three of the enemy being killed and the remainder scattered. Upon observing that one of the enemy had been carrying a sack, he put his helicopter down into an extremely small landing zone in order to retrieve the sack and whatever documents it might contain. When hostile troops concealed in the surrounding undergrowth suddenly opened fire on the friendly aircraft, Captain Bailey immediately directed the fire of his gunners upon the hostile positions and began maneuvering his helicopter out of the landing zone. Before he could get his aircraft to safety, he was mortally wounded by enemy automatic weapons fire. Captain Bailey’s courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.