First Army Presents World War II Veteran with Distinguished Flying Cross

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Presenting a long, overdue World War II medal made for an appropriate and heartfelt way to kick off the upcoming Veterans Day holiday.

First Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Michael S. Tucker presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to 92-year-old Moline resident, Staff Sgt. Richard "Dick" Bailey, during an awards ceremony on November 7, inside First Army headquarters.

"What a great privilege it is to be able to preside over a ceremony honoring a member of our nation's greatest generation," said Tucker. "This ceremony is taking place far later than it should have, but it is never too late to do the right thing...to stand before you to honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of Staff Sgt. Dick Bailey."

Bailey served as a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber as part of several major European campaigns. He flew 35 successful combat missions with the 735th Bomber Squadron, 453rd Bomber Group, 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing, 2nd Division, 8th Air Force.

The award and the ceremony proved as a surprise for Bailey.

"I never expected (the award and ceremony)," he said. "Maybe (the recognition) will help some other guys get their awards."

Bailey was trained and certified as a tradesman and was considered exempt from the draft board due to his skills as a critical tool and die maker for John Deere. However, Bailey personally challenged the exemption and was granted authorization to enlist in September 1943.

At the ceremony, Bailey was joined by friends and family as well as Pearl Harbor survivors, Eldon Baxter, of LeClaire, Iowa, and Alvis Taylor, of Davenport, Iowa. Also in attendance included representatives from the John Deere Seeding Group and members from the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 299.

"My family is very excited about the ceremony. I never told them anything (about his duties during World War II). I just did what I was told to do," Mr. Bailey said.

Bailey's sons, Gary and Tom, appreciated the gesture from First Army on presenting their Dad with his medal.

"Like many veterans of World War II, they were proud that they served, but they weren't looking for recognition," Gary Bailey said. "I'm very proud of his achievement."

"I'm very thankful my Dad had the opportunity (to be presented to the medal)," Tom Bailey, said. "He told the family, he was more scared (due to excitement) when he woke up this morning that he has in years."

During the ceremony, Richard Bailey also received the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal; a shadow box of all of his medals earned, and a framed artistic print of Quad Cities native Army Master Sgt. John F. Baker, Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient during the Vietnam War.