Command Sergeant Major Henry Marvin Bailey, Jr.

Command Sergeant Major Henry Marvin Bailey, Jr., United States Army (Ret.), affectionately known by many as “Bud”, age 79, entered into rest eternal while surrounded by his loving family and with the light and love of his life for sixty-two years, Mrs. Charleen Craven Bailey at his side, in his home on Mount Carmel Road in Walterboro.  He was under the care of Amedisys Hospice.

Friends are invited to gather with the family this Monday evening, April 4, 2016, at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro, where the Holy Rosary will be recited at 6 o’clock.  The family will receive friends following the prayers until 8 o’clock that evening in the Harbiston Stateroom of the Mortuary.

The Rite of Committal of his casket, with full military honors will be announced soon as plans are made in conjunction with Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Born July 5, 1936 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, he was the last surviving child of the late Henry Marvin Bailey, Sr. and the late Ethel Gertrude McDonnell Bailey.   “Hank” as he was affectionately known in the Washington, D.C. area and amongst his military associates, entered into The United States Army, where he served faithfully until his retirement with the distinguished rank of Command Sergeant Major.   A highly decorated veteran, who served as a Green Beret in the Vietnam era, Command Sergeant Major Bailey was a four time recipient of the highly esteemed and oldest military award known as The Purple Heart.  He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the President of the United States on 22 March 1966, for his extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam as a part of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) , 1st Special Forces during the period 9 to 14 December 1964 while serving as one of two Special Forces Advisers to an eight-man Vietnamese reconnaissance patrol in the Nui Tien Du mountain area, Khanh Hoa, Republic of Vietnam.   An account of his gallantry in action were keeping with the highest traditions of United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and his military service. The Distinguished Service Cross is second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the following listed are other medals, in order of precedence, of which he was awarded.   Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal (4), Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal, Purple Heart Medal (4), Air Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal along with these insignia, Command Sergeant Major (CSM), Combat Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Jump Wings Master Parachutist Badge, and Freefall Jump Master Badge.  He was a member of the elite group of Distinguished Service Cross recipients known as Legion of Valor.

Following his retirement from the United States Army, he continued to work for the government in a civil capacity with the Charleston Naval Shipyard Fire Station, retiring as Fire Chief.  In later years, he became a farmer, which was another great pride he possessed.  He was a member of Saint Anthony Roman Catholic Church in Walterboro and also the Knights of Columbus Fr. Brian Martin S.T. Council 8502.   Henry Bailey was known as a quiet, unassuming, and friendly man; who was easy to like with the spirit of a warrior and the heart of a lion.  He dearly loved his family, centering his daily life around the ones he loved.

Surviving in addition to his loving wife are: three daughters, Sharon Durham and her husband Jackie of Mount Pleasant, Anne Murdaugh and her husband Scott of Walterboro, and Rosemary Jarett and her husband David of Rutherfordton, North Carolina; a son, Billy Bailey and his wife Wanda of Smoaks; ten grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jessica Durham.

In lieu of flowers, the family has respectfully requested that memorial contributions be directed in his memory to the following: Saint Anthony Catholic Church, 925 South Jefferies Boulevard, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488; or to, Friends of the Colleton County Animal Shelter, 33 Poor Farm Road, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488; or to, The Veteran’s Victory House, 2461 Sidneys Road, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488.

Arrangements have been entrusted to:  THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro; 843.538.5408.  Visit our online registry at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.