World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He was the commander of Company C, 1st Marine Raider Battalion at Guadalcanal. On September 12, 1942, the Japanese counterattacked against Marines holding a ridge overlooking Henderson Field. Some 2,000 strong, the bayonet attack forced the Marines in contact to begin to withdraw. Major Bailey and his company were ordered to stop their withdrawal and hold the assault. During the fighting, he was wounded in the head but refused evacuation and led his men in hand-to-hand combat for ten hours until the line was restored and Henderson Field saved. He was killed a few weeks later while heading his men in an attack on the enemy at the Matanikau River, Guadalcanal. In addition to the Medal of Honor and Silver Star Medal, he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, and the World War II Victory Medal.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He was the commander of Company C, 1st Marine Raider Battalion at Guadalcanal. On September 12, 1942, the Japanese counterattacked against Marines holding a ridge overlooking Henderson Field. Some 2,000 strong, the bayonet attack forced the Marines in contact to begin to withdraw. Major Bailey and his company were ordered to stop their withdrawal and hold the assault. During the fighting, he was wounded in the head but refused evacuation and led his men in hand-to-hand combat for ten hours until the line was restored and Henderson Field saved. He was killed a few weeks later while heading his men in an attack on the enemy at the Matanikau River, Guadalcanal. In addition to the Medal of Honor and Silver Star Medal, he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
MEDAL OF HONOR
MAJ US MARINE CORPS
WORLD WAR II
Family Members
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