World War II Honoree

George H. Bailey

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Grangeville, Idaho

Honored By

Miss Cassondra M. Bailey

Relationship

Granddaughter

SERVED AS A NAVAL AVIATOR WHO FOUGHT IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS AGAINST THE JAPANESE. FLEW HELLCAT AIRCRAFT WITH AIR GROUP 23 AND SERVED ABOARD THE USS LANGLEY. HE RECEIVED THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD AIR MEDALS FOR DISTINGUISHING HIMSELF DURING SEVERAL COMBAT MISSIONS. ON A STRAFING RUN HE DESTROYED TWO SMALL ENEMY SHIPS, ONE OF WHICH DAMAGED HIS PLANE WHEN IT BLEW UP. HE MADE IT BACK TO HIS CARRIER BUT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN THE WATER.