James William Bailey

By zthanson, 14 December, 2022
First Name
James
Middle Name
William
Last Name
Bailey
Birthdate
Hometown
Carthage, Mississippi
Rank
Commander
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Male in military jacket and cap.
PreCapture Description

Bill Bailey was born in 1943 in Kosciusko, Mississippi. After attending Homes Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi, he entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program on January 9, 1964, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and designated a Naval Flight Officer on October 15, 1964. Ensign Bailey next attended Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) Training at NAS Glynco, Georgia, followed by F-4 Phantom II Replacement Air Group Training, before joining VF-143 at NAS Miramar, California, in April 1965. He deployed to Southeast Asia aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) from January to August 1966, and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA-64) from May 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on June 28, 1967.

Post Release Image
Older man in baseball cap pointing to a framed picture on the wall.
Post Release Description

Lieutenant Bailey was released during Operation Homecoming on February 18, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and then attended the University of Mississippi to complete his bachelor's degree under the Navy College Degree Program from August 1973 to August 1975. Commander Bailey next attended F-4 Replacement Air Group Training with VF-101 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, from September 1975 to March 1976, followed by service as an F-4 RIO with VF-74 at NAS Oceana from March 1976 to March 1978. After attending Naval War College, Commander Bailey served as a staff officer in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Pentagon from July 1979 to June 1984. His final assignment was as Executive Officer of the Naval ROTC unit at the University of North Carolina from July 1984 until his retirement from the Navy on December 31, 1988.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal


 

Passed away before release
Post Release