Major Kenneth D. Bailey
Congressional Medal of Honor
In memory of Major Kenneth D. Bailey, U.S.M.C., Congressional Medal of Honor Winner for bravery in World War II.
A 1930 Danville High School graduate, he was Commanding Officer of Company C, First Raiders Battalion, which attacked Japanese fortifications on Tulagi, Soloman Islands, in August 1942. He dynamited a cave containing 35 of the enemy.
On Sept. 12, 1942 he was credited with saving Henderson Field, a vital U. S. Airbase on Guadalcanal. On Sept. 27, 1942, Bailey returned to combat, wounded, and was killed by machine-gun fire.
A comrade wrote: “it was a great thrill to see him in the early dawn of our fiercest battle, still leading and urging his men forward to Victory. When he lost his life he was again leading his men forward - the only direction he knew.”
Kevin Cullen
Marker is on North Hazel Street south of Cherry Street, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
