Francis R. Bailey (1920-1998)
Sgt. Francis Bailey Overseas
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bailey received word from their son, Sgt. Francis Bailey, this week, announcing his safe arrival overseas in the middle East area. Because of the long journey to his destination, Sgt. Bailey has been unable to write for several weeks. One of his requests was that if it were impossible to send him The Tribune, he at least wanted clippings enclosed with letters so he could keep up with home town news.The following article was found in the April 8, 1943, Lowell Tribune on page 2, column 1:
- The Ray Baileys received a letter this week from their son, Sergt. Francis Bailey, telling of his recent promotion, and, said Francis, "At last we're allowed to tell our location -- we're stationed in Iran." This small British controlled country is located at the eastern end of the Mediterranean near Iraq.
This January 13, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- Somewhere in Iran,
December 23, 1943.
- Lowell Tribune:
- Quoted herewith is a letter published in our weekly newspaper, the United States Army Dispatch, which I think carries a full meaning to all our people back home:
- "Last night as I crawled into my bunk, and a nearby bugler blasted the air with rather uncertain 'taps,' I was concerned for some time with thoughts of the approaching Chistmas--for a number of us, the second such holiday in Iran. Somehow it means more this year than ever before. Maybe because we're so far from home, because there are some few hardships we never before endured, or because we can now see clearly that the forces of right will soon triumph and bring about the 'peace' we hear of in Christmas carols.
- "Some of the guys nowadays are looking back on a year of service here, a year of beggars, climactic extremes, dust storms, diseases, droshkies, donkeys, all this and more from A to Z. They look back on the birth of a Command, one that of necessity worked harder in infacy than in maturity. They grinned when you said 'impossible' and threw the word out of their vocabularies.
- "When transportation problems became less acute, the Command fixed us up with movies, live talent shows, Post Exchanges, recreation halls, American beer, and finally with fresh meat and butter.
- "The other day I passed the APO and saw Christmas parcels stacked to the roof--ample evidence that as individuals we'll never be forgotten by you at home. This Christmas, as at all others, we're thinking of you and loving you.
- "Your GI Ambassador of Peace and Good Will"
- Things continue much the same as usual here with a bitter wind blowing up at the present time. Prior to now the weather has been much like an Indian summer. There is lots of snow in sight from camp but it's on the mountain tops. If it continues this way much longer we will have our "White Christmas" yet.
- My very best wishes to everyone at this time of the year and hope that the good news of the fronts continue so that we shall be back amongst you all again in the not-so-distant future.
- The Tribune keeps coming in from time to time and I always take the evening to read each one thoroughly from front page headlines to the advertising. I find so much news of the home town folks in it and appreciate it no end. Keep 'em coming.
- Sincerely,
- Francis R. Bailey
These Lowell Tribune articles were found in the April 5, 1945, issue (page 2, column 2):
- S/Sgt. Francis R. Bailey, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Ray Bailey, Lowell , is assigned to the Priority Traffic Section of the Air Transport Command Air Base, Teheran, Iran. Sgt. Bailey is awaiting orders transferring him to the United States on reassignment and hopes to be able to celebrate his 25th birthday, in May, back at his home in Indiana.
- Sgt. Bailey's position as chief clerk in the Priority and Traffic Section has put him in the position to rush vital materials to the war fronts, for his base is in the North African division of the ATC where transport aircraft, during a recent month totaled over 41,000 flying hours, the equivalent of five years in the air.
- The assignment Sergeant Bailey holds is of tremendous importance. Attesting to this fact is that the decisions of loading and balancing an aircraft must be handled with utmost care to avoid disastrous effect to the plane and crew. It was in this respect that the Sergeant has proven himself capable of the responsibilities placed on him for there has never been an error in the fulfillment of his duties.
- Sgt. Bailey arrived in Iran Dec. 1942, with the Motor Transportation Service and remained with that organization until it was disbanded. Upon the request of Major Marvin C. Josephson, commanding officer, ot the ATC air base at Teheran, the Sergeant was transferred to his present assignment.
- A graduate of Lowell high school, he entered the armed forces in Feb. 1942, and at present plans to resume studies at Indiana university when his services are no longer required by the government.
- According to the following dispatch from Miami, Fla., S/Sgt. Bailey is now at an army air field there and expects to be home soon:
- Miami, Fla., March 31 -- Iran and the Persian Gulf are a long way from Lowell, Ind., but after 27 months, the distance seemed even greater to Staff Sgt. Francis Bailey of Lowell.
- But a bit of Air Transport Command presto, and he was back in the United States at Miami Army Air Field almost as quickly as in his dreams during the long months at a Middle East air base. In a few days he'll be back in Lowell for a furlough before reporting for a new assignment.
This April 12, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
- S/Sgt. Francis Bailey, son of the Ray Baileys, arrived home on furlough, after spending 27 months in Iran with U.S. forces.
The following May 3, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 4:
- After a thirty day leave, S/Sgt. Francis Bailey left last Thursday for Cincinnati, from where he will go to Nevada for assignment to further duty. Francis enjoyed his visit here after spending nearly three years in Iran with U.S. forces.
This June 7, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
- The following letter was received last week from S/Sgt. Francis Bailey, who is now stationed at Reno, Nevada:
- Inasmuch as I am finally settled at the air base here, I can begin to look for mail and other reading material. I think that I am going to like it considerably.
- The country and climate in many ways reminds me of that from which I have just returned from overseas. The biggest difference is that when you leave camp you are among people you understand. The people of Reno are very friendly, and very nice to know.
- Although the town is full of gambling places and liquor stores, the number of drunkards and other general evidences of such places are not seen on the street. The town uses the income from the gambling places to keep the University of Nevada a beautiful campus. That sounds rather strange, but the proof is openly displayed for all to see.
- The town isn't very large as regards the business area downtown, which surprised me no end, but I have learned that the population is about 18,000. The surprise is that such a small business district can furnish the necessary foods to maintain a thriving town of that size, with such an overwhelming number of gambling places and liquor stores. No one seems to go hungry though, so I guess it does a good job of supply.
- Sincerely,
- Francis
This October 25, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 3:
- A telephone call yesterday informed us that it is once more just plain Francis Bailey, Citizen, following his discharge from the service last week. He arrived home last Thursday.
The following article from an unidentified newspaper was found in Town Historian Richard Schmal's obituary collection:
- Francis R. Bailey, age 77, of Roselawn, passed away Sat., Jan. 17, 1998,
at Crestmark Nursing Home in Roselawn, where he was a resident for four
years. He is survived by: one brother, John (Charlotte) Bailey of
Lowell; one sister, Louise (Gilbert) Cutter of Dillsboro; and several
nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Forrest,
and his parents. Cremation took place at Oakland Memory Lanes in
Dolton, Ill., with private graveside services to be held at a later
date. Francis R. Bailey was born May 23, 1920, at home, the son of W.
Ray and Edith (nee Atkinson) Bailey. A U.S. Army veteran of World War
II, he was a graduate of Indiana Univ. with a B.A. degree in Business
Administration. He was retired from Admiral Corp. with 26 years as a
computer coder; he also spent seven years with the 1st National Bank of
Chicago (Illinois) as a computer coder. A member of the Hermosa Salem
United Methodist Church in Chicago, he was also a 50-year member of
Lowell Masonic Lodge No. 378. Memorial contributions may be made to the
Hermosa Salom United Methodist Church, 2056 North Tripp Ave., Chicago,
Ill. 60639. Arrangements were handled by Sheets Funeral Home in Lowell.
Go to Francis Bailey, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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