World War II Honoree

John Robert Bailey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Florence, South Carolina

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

TRANSFERRED FROM AVIATION ORDNANCE TO THE AIR FORCE IN MAY, 1942. HAD FLIGHT TRAINING AT KELLY FIELD AND RANDOLPH FIELD AND RECEIVED HIS WINGS AT ELLINGTON FIELD IN NOVEMBER, 1942. WAS ASSIGNED AS OPERATIONS OFFICER OF THE 78TH SQUADRON OF THE 435TH TROOP CARRIER GROUP. PILOTING A C-47, HE PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY, SOUTHERN FRANCE AND HOLLAND INVASIONS AND THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. FOR HIS WARTIME SERVICE HE EARNED THE AIR MEDAL WITH THREE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND SEVEN CAMPAIGN STARS ON THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS RIBBON.