Lest We Forget


Name: R. V. Bailey War: Korean War

Rank: Corporal Serial number: 54062228 Branch: Army

Unit: G Company, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division

Battle or circumstance: Details have not been found, but few days before his death, R. V. wrote home saying he was on the front line, but “not to worry for he had not even seen one of the enemy except through field glasses” – and - “he would leave for a period of rest on the 14th of July.”

Decorations: Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart

Date born: August 17,1931

Place born: Sugartown, LA

Date died: July 13, 1952

How died: Killed in action

Place died: Korea, evidently “on the front line”, as stated in his last letter

Place buried: “In the Sugartown cemetery, with military rites”

Home place: Smyrna Community at Sugartown

School(s): Sugartown High School

Affiliations: “Sugartown Baptist church”

Interests: He worked for Olin Mills Studio

Spouse: None Children: None

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Asa D. Bailey (some sources show “Mr. and Mrs. Ace Bailey)

Siblings: According to newspapers: W. D. Bailey (a PFC in the U. S. Army at the time R. V. was killed) and Mrs. Nell Lois Schales of San Antonio

Comments: After R. V.’s death, his brother W. D. became the sole-surviving son. Because of this the Army permanently receded W. D.’ s orders to the “Far East”.

Data provided by: From his sister-in-law, Mildred Bailey of DeRidder. Documents: contemporary newspaper account, military index, West Union death notice, the medals with his name, VA records, etc.

Date printed: October 24, 2002

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