World War II Honoree

Cladie A. 'Gus' Bailey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Heltonville, Indiana

Honored By

William E. 'Peter' Plank

Relationship

Soldier Buddy

CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY APRIL 19, 1941 AS A FIRST LIEUTENANT. ASSIGNED TO CAMP LIVINGSTON, ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA AS A MEMBER OF THE 32ND INFANTRY 'RED ARROW' DIVISION. REASSIGNED TO FORT BENNING, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA; THEN FORT DEVENS, AYER, MASSACHUSETTS. SAILED OVERSEAS FROM SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA APRIL 22, 1942 ABOARD SS LURLINE AS A FIRST LIEUTENANT, EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WITH COMPANY G, 126TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 32ND INFANTRY DIVISION. ARRIVED ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA MAY 14, 1942. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. PARTICIPATED IN THE PAPUA, NEW GUINEA, LEYTE AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. CROSSED THE RUGGED OWEN STANLEY MOUNTAINS ON FOOT AND COMMANDED COMPANY G, 126TH INFANTRY IN THE ASSAULT ON BUNA, NEW GUINEA. WOUNDED IN ACTION AT BUNA, DECEMBER 19, 1942 AND AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS FOR HEROISM AT BUNA-SANANANDA ON DECEMBER 2, 1942 WHEN, AS COMPANY COMMANDER, HE LED HIS UNIT AND OVERRAN STRONG ENEMY OPPOSITION AND SECURED THE WEST END OF 'THE STRIP.' PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN DECEMBER 31, 1942 AND ASSUMED COMMAND OF 1ST BATTALION, 126TH INFANTRY. PROMOTED TO MAJOR OCTOBER 15, 1943. LED HIS BATTALION IN COMBAT OPERATIONS IN NEW GUINEA; FIRST AT SAIDOR JANUARY 2, 1944 AND THEN AT AITAPE IN APRIL 1944. PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL MAY 15, 1944. SERVED ON MOROTAI ISLAND SEPTEMBER 15, 1944; THEN AT LEYTE OCTOBER 1944 AND ALONG THE VILLA VERDE TRAIL AT LUZON IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS IN FEBRUARY 1945. KILLED IN ACTION AT LUZON APRIL 20, 1945. POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE SILVER STAR.