Thomas Fred Bailey
Military
Object Number - UPL 23240 - Colonel Thomas Fred 'Tomcat' Bailey 361FS, 356FG, 8AF USAAF.
Assigned to 361FS, 356FG, 8AF USAAF. WIA in combat with Me109, returned to base RTD. 91 x missions, credited 1 x kill. ETD.
Awards: DFC, BSM, AM (3OLC), PH, WWII Victory, EAME (3 x Battle Stars), American Campaign and Defense, Air Force Longevity (3OLC).
Post War: Remained with USAF, serving in P-51's with 40th Fighter Squadron in Korea and later as commander of 128th Air Refueling Wing, rising to Colonel in a career spanning 40 years.
Connections
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Units served with
![Ground crew of the 356th Fighter Group congratulate the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Zombie" at Martlesham Heath air base. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'ZOMBIE yellow, black outline. [illegible text] black white common practice of 361st FS.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377162.jpg.webp?itok=Cj8CR9kY)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 356th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Crew Chief
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 356th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
- Role/Job: Armourer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 356th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Crew Chief
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Raymond City, WV 25159, USA | 12 September 1921 | Son of Elben D and Frances Villette [Polsley Bailey] Raynes. |
|
Other Promotion |
Martlesham Heath, Martlesham, Ipswich, UK | 23 April 1944 | Promoted to Captain. |
|
Other E/A Probable |
Liège, Belgium | 1 May 1944 | Fw190 Probable South Liege. |
|
Other E/A Destroyed |
Lübeck, Germany | 13 May 1944 | Fw190 Destroyed SE Lübeck. |
|
Other Wounded in Action WIA |
Kiel, Germany | 13 May 1944 | Wounded in Action in melee with Me109's returned to base. RTD. |
|
Other End Tour of Duty (ETD) |
England, UK | 29 July 1944 | Ended Tour of Duty (ETD). |
|
Died |
Milwaukee, WI, USA | 25 March 2004 | |
| Nitro, WV, USA | |||
|
Based |
Martlesham Heath | 27 September 1944 | Assigned to 361FS, 356FG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Other Commisioned |
United States | Commisioned 2nd Lieutenant. | |
|
Enlisted |
Nitro, WV, USA | Nitro, West Virginia |
Revisions
Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia;
- self
