Chester Bailey

Chester Bailey (BMC Ret.), a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War, passed away 6 August 2022, a week short of his 102th birthday. Born in Blountstown, FL, Chester was a long-time resident of Valdosta, GA. Chester passed away in Conyers, GA, surrounded by the love of his family. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Gloria; daughters Nadine and Gina; sons Jared and Vincent; brother Jake; sisters Faye, Joyce, and Mary Lou; and grandsons Roark, Michael, and Matthew. He was preceded in death by his parents Silas and Etta, brothers Herman and Silas, and sister Louise.

Chester received commendations for bravery during both wars. He enlisted in the Navy in April 1941 and was stationed at Pearl Harbor, attached to the VP23 flying boat squadron. He was on a transport ship scheduled to enter Pearl Harbor on 8 December 1941, but the transport was not allowed to enter until 10 December. Although not trained as a diver, Chester was a member of the teams who at great risk recovered the fallen from the harbor. He served on a cargo ship that supplied provisions to various islands around New Zealand until that ship ran aground near New Caledonia. Subsequently, he served on an LGT operating in the New Guinea area relocating Army units and on a torpedo boat squadron to islands off Biak. Chester volunteered for a land reconnaissance mission, from which he and one other sailor were the only survivors, the others presumed to have died or been imprisoned by the enemy.

Chester became a 'Shellback' when he crossed the equator in 1942, while sailing with the DESRON 30 Fletcher class destroyer squadron. He was sent through the Malika Straits numerous times while the pirates were harassing American ships. He came through the old Panama Canal twice. He was able to witness the official signing of the Peace Accords ending the war in the Pacific from his ship moored in Tokyo Bay.

He was assigned to the boat pool in Shanghai and helped with security for the American Consulate, including repelling civilian attacks during food riots. He was part of the last American troops departing Shanghai in 1949, and assisted the American Consulate with disposing of top-secret equipment in the harbor.

Chester saw action around North Korea during the Korean War, including while screening for the heavy cruiser St Paul inside Won San Harbor. When North Korean guns hit the St Paul, his ship was left in the harbor under no-fire orders. He also served on a freighter hauling ammunition from Japan to South Korea. At one point, when several 2,000-pound bombs breeched their webbing during the night, he volunteered to enter the 'hole' and successfully re-secured the bombs, receiving a commendation for his valor.

Chester met his wife on a train in New York, drawn by her laugh. They were married six weeks later and he loved her for the rest of his long live. Together, they lived in Jacksonville, FL; Subic Bay, Philippines; Argentia, NL; Newport, RI; Huntsville, AL; and New York, NY.

Following his retirement from the Navy, he operated a successful heavy machinery brokerage business until he was in his 90s, with contacts throughout the States. He was an 'early adopter', including using one of the first mobile phones and otherwise embracing technology despite growing up walking and riding horses for transportation. He had a passion for mechanical workings of any kind, reading, movies, golf, flying, hunting, horses, dogs, boats, and cars, passions he passed on to his children. His nickname was Jake, because of his love of turkey hunting. He loved hosting gatherings at his lake property, frying mullet and hush puppies. Most of all, he loved his family.

Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216.