- SURNAME
Bailey
- FORENAME
Thomas B.
- UNIT
3 Recon Bn (3 MarDiv) (D Company)
- RANK
Corporal
- NUMBER
2273846
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1968
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Houston,Texas
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas B. Bailey (MCSN: 2273846), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Team Leader with Company D, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Shortly after midnight on 2 September 1968, while occupying a night defensive position in a bomb crater south of Khe Sanh, Corporal Bailey's two-man listening post was attacked by a North Vietnamese Army company. Hearing hand grenades explode in the vicinity of the listening post, Corporal Bailey immediately moved to the top of the crater and assisted the Marines who were manning the post into the crater. Alertly observing a North Vietnamese as he threw a grenade into the defensive perimeter, Corporal Bailey immediately took the soldier under fire, killing him and wounding two of his comrades. Completely disregarding his own safety, he moved among his men as he encouraged them, designated their fields of fire and ensured that they possessed adequate ordnance. Throughout the subsequent intense fire fight that lasted until dawn, he repeatedly exposed himself to the heavy volume of enemy fire while directing his team in repulsing numerous hostile assaults against their position. His resolute determination and bold initiative inspired all who served with him and were instrumental in h is patrol repulsing the attack and accounting for twenty-five North Vietnamese soldiers killed. By his courage, aggressive leadership and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Bailey upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/23219
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