|
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps. Birth: 21 October 1910,
Pawnee, Okla. Appointed from: Illinois. Other Navy awards: Silver Star
Medal. Citation: For extraordinary courage and heroic conduct above and
beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company C, 1st Marine
Raider Battalion, during the enemy Japanese attack on Henderson Field,
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 12-13 September 1942. Completely reorganized
following the severe engagement of the night before, Maj. Bailey's company,
within an hour after taking its assigned position as reserve battalion
between the main line and the coveted airport, was threatened on the right
flank by the penetration of the enemy into a gap in the main line. In addition
to repulsing this threat, while steadily improving his own desperately
held position, he used every weapon at his command to cover the forced
withdrawal of the main line before a hammering assault by superior enemy
forces. After rendering invaluable service to the battalion commander in
stemming the retreat, reorganizing the troops and extending the reverse
position to the left, Maj. Bailey, despite a severe head wound, repeatedly
led his troops in fierce hand-to-hand combat for a period of 10 hours.
His great personal valor while exposed to constant and merciless enemy
fire, and his indomitable fighting spirit inspired his troops to heights
of heroic endeavor which enabled them to repulse the enemy and hold Henderson
Field. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
| | |