Jesse M. Bailey

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jesse M. Bailey, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, July 18 – 24, 1918. Private First Class Bailey gave an inspiring example of courage and coolness in treating wounded for two days without rest or food and under intense artillery and machine-gun fire. While maintaining a dressing station in a crater, an enemy shell struck in the center of the hole, wounding nearly all in the crater and severely injuring one man, who was buried in the earth and debris. Upon regaining consciousness Private Bailey treated all of the wounded men, helped them to the first-aid station, returned and dug out the man who had been buried and left for dead and succeeded in resuscitating him.