By Direction

of the

President of the United States

The

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded

To

Otis J. Bailey

Rank and Unit:  Private First Class, Troop I, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

Date and Place:  24 November 1968,  Republic of Vietnam

Reason:  For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Bailey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 November 1968 as a medical aidman with a dismounted patrol searching a hillside for a reported Viet Cong platoon,  As the patrol moved down the jungle trail, it suddenly came under intense samll arms and automatic weapons fire from a well camouflaged and heavily fortified bunker complex.  Disregarding his safety, Private Bailey braved the fierce enemy fire to assist the three lead men, who had been wounded by the initial volley.  He quickly treated the most critically injured trooper and, carrying him on his back, crawled out of the communist' field of fire.  Returning to within two meters of the hostile strongholds, he aided another of the wounded men and brought him through a deluge of enemy machine gun fire and hand grenades to the patrol's rear.  After administering to the third casualty, who had been able to reach relative safety, he spotted two more wounded soldiers and again faced the communist fusillade to aid his injured comrades. Private First Class Bailey's extraordinary heroism and devotion 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.