THE WALL OF FACES

CPL Donald G. Bailey was a rifleman serving with L Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. On August 28, 1969, CPL Bailey was wounded in action by a sniper’s bullet near Hiep Duc in the Que Son Valley in Quang Nam Province, RVN, an area which was being bitterly contested by NVA and U.S. forces. Bailey’s wound resulted in his being paralyzed from the neck down. He was returned to the United States where Bailey learned to paint with a brush in his teeth and moved about in a motorized wheelchair, never allowing his handicap to conquer him completely. He died January 11, 1972, at Castle Point Veterans Administrative Hospital at Beacon, NY, of what doctors termed septicemic shock. He was 23 years-old. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Paralyzed Veteran Dies In Hospital.” Publication name and date unknown]

DEAR CORPORAL BAILEY,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT. SEMPER FI. HALLOWEEN IS APPROACHING, AND ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS' DAYS - THE DAYS WE HONOR THOSE WHO LEFT US. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.

Dear CPL Donald Gerald Bailey, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Semper Fi, Marine.

Donald is buried at Chesnut Hill Cemetery, Portville, NY.