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Photo # NH 105666:  Major Kenneth D. Bailey, USMC

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Major Kenneth D. Bailey, USMC, (1910-1942)

Kenneth Dillion Bailey was born on 21 October 1910 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. He later moved to Illinois where he spent three years with the One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry in the Illinois National Guard. In July 1935, he was appointed from his state as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. After completing Basic School at Marine Barracks, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was assigned to the Fifth Marines at Quantico, Virginia. In June 1938, Bailey transferred to the Marine Detachment on board USS Pennsylvania and was promoted a month later to First Lieutenant.

Returning to Quantico, Bailey briefly served as a Range Officer with the Rifle Range Detachment before becoming the Assistant to the Training Officer at Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. While at Parris Island, he was promoted in July 1940 to Captain. In December, he relocated to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and was assigned to the First Marine Brigade. Bailey briefly transferred to the Seventh Marines, then returned with the First Marines to Parris Island. For his next duty station, he relocated to Quantico and became a Company Commander with the Fifth Marines, which was redesignated as the First Marine Raider Battalion after America's entry into World War II.

In April 1942, Bailey departed for duty in the Pacific, where he was temporarily promoted in May to Major. That August, he participated in the conquest of Tulagi, Solomon Islands, and was awarded the Silver Star for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while leading his company after being seriously wounded. On 12-13 September, Bailey heroically directed his men on Guadalcanal when the Japanese tried to retake Henderson Field. Despite receiving a severe head wound, his unit repulsed the enemy during more than 10 hours in fierce hand-to-hand fighting. For his "extraordinary courage and heroic conduct above and beyond the call of duty," Major Bailey was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He was killed on 26 September 1942, while attacking Japanese forces at Guadalcanal's Matanikau River. Kenneth D. Bailey is buried at Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Illinois.

USS Kenneth D. Bailey (DE-552), whose construction was cancelled in June 1944, and USS Kenneth D. Bailey (DD-713, later DDR-713), 1945-1975, were named in honor of Major Kenneth D. Bailey.

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Photo #: NH 105666

Major Kenneth D. Bailey, USMC


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 152.
Kenneth D. Bailey was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary courage and heroic conduct above and beyond the call of duty" on 12-13 September 1942 during the Japanese attack on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Despite a severe head wound, he led his company for more than 10 hours in fierce hand-to-hand fighting. He was killed in action on 26 September at Matanikau River, Guadalcanal.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 47KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Major Kenneth D. Bailey, USMC (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 152):

"For extraordinary courage and heroic conduct above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company C, First 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, Major 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, Major 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."


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Page made 3 April 2008