World War II Honoree

Joseph William Bailey

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hebron, Nebraska

Honored By

Charles W. Wiedel

Relationship

Nephew

ENLISTED IN 1939, WITH INITIAL TRAINING AT THE GREAT LAKES NAVAL CENTER NEAR CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. SERVED THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS FROM THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS TO GUADALCANAL AND WAS PRESENT ON 3 SEPTEMBER 1945 AT TOKYO BAY, WHEN THE JAPANESE SURRENDER WAS SIGNED. CONTRACTED MALARIA AT GUADALCANAL AND WAS HOSPITALIZED IN NEW ZEALAND, AND LATER IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. HE WAS A RECIPIENT OF THE PURPLE HEART.