World War II Honoree

Marion Wade 'Bill' Bailey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Kyle, Texas

Honored By

John C. Burkhardt, SVC MOPH, Chapter 1919, Austin, Texas

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. SERVICE NUMBER 38555679. ENTERED ON DUTY SEPTEMBER 9, 1943. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER. ASSIGNED TO COMPANY G, 13TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 8TH INFANTRY DIVISION; OPERATING WITH THE THIRD ARMORED 'SPEARHEAD' DIVISION. WHILE ENGAGED IN COMBAT NEAR HERDORF, GERMANY ON MARCH 30, 1945, HE LED THREE SQUAD MEMBERS AND INFILTRATED ENEMY LINES; DESTROYED A GERMAN; MARK IV TANK, CAPTURED EIGHT ENEMY SOLDIERS AND DISPENSED SEVERAL OTHERS FROM THEIR PREPARED POSITIONS. BEFORE THEY COULD RETURN TO THE AMERICAN LINES THEY WERE INTERCEPTED BY AN ENEMY PATROL THAT OPENED FIRE ON THEM. HE AND HIS MEN RETURNED A HEAVY BASE OF FIRE AND FORCED THE PATROL TO SURRENDER. AWARDS AND CITATIONS: COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE; BRONZE STAR WITH 'V' DEVICE FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE UNDER FIRE; EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL; AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL; AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL; WWII VICTORY MEDAL; NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL; WWII ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL; AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 26, 1945.