| Dale W. Bair | |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Idaho, Pocatello |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Silver Star Purple Heart |
Dale W. Bair (birth and possible death unknown) was a first lieutenant in the 6th Marine Division. He was awarded a Navy Cross and a Purple Heart for his actions in the Battle of Okinawa, during the assault on Sugar Loaf Hill on 13 May 1945. Bair had previously won the Silver Star at Engebi island during the Battle of Eniwetok in February 1944.[1]
Sugar Loaf Hill[]
In the assault on Sugar Loaf Hill, Bair was part of an infantry assault supported by four tanks. Three of the four tanks were knocked out early on and many Marines were wounded. Despite his own wounds to the left arm, Bair picked up a Browning M1919 machine gun, draped it over his wounded left arm, and began charging towards the hill while firing the machine gun. Reaching the top of the hill, he sustained two more injuries, one to the leg and one to the buttocks, shortly before a retreat was ordered. When he made it back to the tank where the wounded Marines were being placed for the retreat, he refused to stop firing for medical attention and continued directing machine gun fire onto the enemy while receiving medical attention.[2]
Awards and citations[]
[]
| “ | The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Dale W. Bair (MCSN: 0-19637), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 13 May 1945. While leading his Company in the assault of a heavily defended enemy ridge near Sugar Loaf Hill, First Lieutenant Bair received serious wounds and was temporarily evacuated in a semi-conscious condition. Upon regaining full consciousness, he observed his assault platoons come under sudden and intense fire from concealed hostile emplacements, causing heavy casualties and pinning down the leading elements. Despite the pain of his wounds, and aware that he must soon be evacuated because of them, he advanced in the face of the enemy fire and, firing his weapon into the probable location of the hostile positions, risked his life to draw the enemy fire and permit his men to be led to safety. On one occasion, he took a machine gun from a wounded Marine and fired it into the hostile position to cover the withdrawal of the trapped unit. By his bold initiative and unselfish action, he enabled his men to withdraw, reorganize and, in conjunction with another unit, successfully assault the enemy position. His courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[1] | ” |
Silver star citation[]
| “ | The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Dale W. Bair (MCSN: 0-19632), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company H, Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Engebi and Parry Islands, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, 18 to 23 February 1944. Suffering from wounds and a twisted knee incurred in a land mine explosion on the first day of the Eniwetok action, Second Lieutenant Bair continued to lead his platoon through two days and nights of action and in an assault landing under fire. Employing his guns skillfully, he personally carried ammunition to the guns, operating them when necessary and, on several occasions organized his men as riflemen and led them in assaults against enemy positions. His leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[1] | ” |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Dale Bair". Military Times. http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=7999. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
- ↑ "Marine Corps - Okinawa: Sugar Loaf Hill". jcs-group.com. http://www.jcs-group.com/military/war1941navy_mar/1945okinawa1.html. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
External links[]
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