*BAILEY, KENNETH D.
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine
Corps. Born: 21 October 1910, Pawnee, Okla. Appointed from: Illinois. Other
Navy awards: Silver Star Medal.
Citation:
For extraordinary courage and heroic conduct above and beyond the call of duty as
Commanding Officer of Company C, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, during the enemy Japanese
attack on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 12-13 September 1942.
Completely reorganized following the severe engagement of the night before, Maj. Bailey's
company, within an hour after taking its assigned position as reserve battalion between
the main line and the coveted airport, was threatened on the right flank by the
penetration of the enemy into a gap in the main line. In addition to repulsing this
threat, while steadily improving his own desperately held position, he used every weapon
at his command to cover the forced withdrawal of the main line before a hammering assault
by superior enemy forces. After rendering invaluable service to the battalion commander in
stemming the retreat, reorganizing the troops and extending the reverse position to the
left, Maj. Bailey, despite a severe head wound, repeatedly led his troops in fierce
hand-to-hand combat for a period of 10 hours. His great personal valor while exposed to
constant and merciless enemy fire, and his indomitable fighting spirit inspired his troops
to heights of heroic endeavor which enabled them to repulse the enemy and hold Henderson
Field. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
