World War II Honoree

Gerald John Bailey

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Long Beach, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Seaman First Class. Inducted into the United States Navy March 21, 1934 at Portland, Oregon, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he was transferred to the USS Oklahoma Battleship, BB-37 for duty as an on-the-job trainee, and based at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. He re-enlisted December 21, 1939 for additional four years, at San Pedro, California, while on board his Battlewagon. On Sunday Morning, December 7, 1941 the Emperor of Japan and his Naval Aviators launched their well-planned attack on the U.S. Fleet at Pearl Harbor and other military installations on Oahu. The Oklahoma along with her shipmates lay moored on Ford Island sustained multiple torpedo hits during the attack, which caused the Battlewagon to capsize. Reported missing in action or buried at sea. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Honolulu Memorial Location: Honolulu, Hawaii. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.