Bailey was a true hometown hero

The day before his 21st birthday, Sheridan Bailey reported to the induction center in Chicago where he was selected for service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

While the Marines are usually considered an all volunteer service, during times of national emergency draftees are often routed to the Marines.

Prior to his military service, Bailey worked for his dad, Virgil, at Bailey Printing and Publishing where he served as a printer.

Since the Marines really didn't need any printers he became a rifleman, every Marine is a rifleman

After boot camp at Camp Pendleton, CA., Bailey was trained as a radiotelephone operator and was promptly shipped off to Korea aboard the USNS General W. H. Gordon. Upon arrival in March 1952, he was assigned to a 4.2 Inch Mortar Company as a forward observer/radioman, 7th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division.

Bailey’s duties were to accompany rifle units to the front lines and call in and direct mortar fire if necessary to support the units he was assigned to.

On the night of Sept. 6, 1952 he was accompanying a reinforced squad of Marine infantry relieving a critical outpost threatened by an enemy assault. For this mission he was awarded the Bronze Starwith the “V” for valor. The Bronze Star Medal can be awarded for many achievements; however the Combat “V” indicates heroic action in the face of the enemy.

Bailey was also awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received from enemy forces, United Nations Medal (Korea), Korean Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal

In March 1953, he returned to Coal City on leave before returning to duty on April 20 where he reported to 3rd Marine Air Wing at Marine Corps Air Station, Miami FL.

Discharged on Sept. 3, 1953 the now Sergeant Bailey returned to Coal City and Bailey Printing where he worked until retirement. Bailey Printing and Publishing published The Coal City Courant, The Baidwood Journal and Wilmington Advocate through the time of his retirement in November 1997.

Bailey married Marilyn Gianu in 1955 and they made their home in Coal City, raising two children—Mitchell and Sherry Bailey Trammel.

Always active in the community he was a Life Member of St. Juvin Post 1336 Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and one of the founding members of the Coal City Emergency Squad, the forerunner of today's EMS and a member of the Coal City Fire Department, later the Coal City Fire Protection District/EMS. He served for over 40 years.

The writer, who knew he was a Marine and served in Korea, had no idea of his heroic achievements, was privileged to serve with Bailey on both the Emergency Squad and Fire Departments where he was both a leader and a hands on member.

In 2013, Bailey received the first of the more than 550 commemorative personalized tapestry throws with branch of service logo presented by St. Juvin Post 1336 VFW to honor his service to a grateful nation.

Like many combat vets Bailey never discussed his service experiences with his children. He passed in 2013 followed by Marilyn in September 2017, 65 years after his heroic action in defense of freedom.

Sergeant Sheridan Bailey's uniform, decorations and awards are on display at the entrance to the Coal City Public Library.

St. Juvin’s Hometown Heroes is a cooperative partnership between the public library district and Post 1336.