World War II Honoree

Kenneth Dillon Bailey

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Danville, Illinois

Honored By

John Peterson

In February 1942, his unit was redesignated the 1st Marine Raider Battalion. During the invasion of Tulagi, Solomon Islands, at the beginning of the Guadalcanal Campaign on August 7, 1942, he led a successful assault against a Japanese machine gun nest. Although seriously wounded, he directed the action of his company until forcibly evacuated. For his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, he was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on Tulagi. He was promoted to major on May 8, 1942. he later moved with his unit to Guadalcanal. As commanding officer of Company C, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, he led his men in repulsing a Japanese attack, which had penetrated American lines during the Battle of Edson's Ridge, 12 to September 14, 1942. Despite a severe head wound, he directed his men for more than 10 hours of fierce hand-to-hand combat. he was killed in action on September 26, 1942 while heading his men in an attack on the Japanese at the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal.