Tribute to GMGC Samuel Stacy Bailey
Frog Father of UDT 21
Picture taken at Peggy and Charles Peyton's House
Sam Bailey and Dave Sutherland (aka Little Fat Rat)
Picture taken at Muster XIII
Sam Bailey and Bill Sutherland (aka Fat Rat)
Awards
10 Good Conduct Medals
National Defense Service Award
Antarctic Service Award
European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
WWII Victory Medal
His Story
Chief Sam Bailey passed away just after Muster XIII, November 1998. He passed away in his sleep. All who knew Sam were saddened by this event. But Sam will live on in the minds and hearts of all those Team Members who were lucky enough to have had the opportunity to serve with him or know him.
Chief Sam Bailey enlisted in the Navy in December of 1941 and was called to active duty in January of 1942. His first tour of duty was as a Seaman on the USS Ellis (DD-154) out of Brookly, NY. During 1942 and 1943, his ship served as a part of the North Atlantic Fleet scouting out enemy submarines.
Upon completion of Gunner's Mate School, Chief Bailey was assigned to the USS Hana (DE-449) out of Brooklyn, NY. While in Brooklyn, Chief Bailey volunteered for the Underwater Demolition Team (NCDU). He was sent to Ft. Pierce, FL and completed training in June of 1945. Chief Bailey was assigned to Oceanside, CA as a part of UDT-30.
After WWII UDT-30 was relocated to Coronado, CA and UDT-30 was redesignated as Team FOX. One of only 6 UDT Teams in existence. In 1946 2 of the 6 Teams were relocated to the East Coast. Team FOX arrived at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and was re-named UDT-2. UDT-2 was later re-named UDT-21 in 1954.
Chief Bailey was involved in varied operations and assignments in UDT. He made Med and Caribbean Cruises on the Plymouth Rock (LSD-29), worked with setting the DEW line in Greenland, traveled to the South Pole as a part of 'Operation Deep Freeze' and made deployments to St. Thomas for advanced operational training. Chief Bailey became known as the 'Ambassador of Good Will' in St. Thomas for his work there.
During his time at the Creek, Chief Bailey got the opportunity to work with Jacque Cousteau who introduced the UDT members to their first aqualungs.
At the Creek, Chief Bailey was Master-At-Arms for 11 years, serving under 8 different commands, before making Chief. This is perhaps due to Chief Bailey's ability to straighten out the so called "problem sailor". One thing is certain. The men respected Chief Bailey and Chief Bailey respected the men.
Information for this was obtained:
An article in The Gator a weekly Publication of the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, VA.
An article in The Blast, "Remembering Sam Bailey", by Karen Parkinson, 1999.
