Kenneth D . Bailey Kenneth Dillon Bailey ( October 21 , 1910 – September 26 , 1942 ) was a United States Marine Corps officer who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroic conduct during action during the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands . He also earned the Silver Star Medal during the initial landing on Tulagi in the Solomon Islands and the Purple Heart . Biography . Kenneth Dillon Bailey was born in Pawnee , Oklahoma , on October 21 , 1910 . He later moved to Danville , Illinois , with his parents . He spent three years with the 130th Infantry Regiment , Illinois National Guard , prior to receiving his second lieutenant ' s commission in the Marine Corps on July 1 , 1935 . He was ordered to the Marine Barracks , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , where he completed a course of instruction in the Basic School . Joining the 5th Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Quantico , Virginia , he participated in maneuvers in San Diego , California , and in the Caribbean . In June 1938 , he joined the Marine Detachment aboard the battleship as Detachment and Battery Officer . He was advanced to first lieutenant on January 19 , 1939 while serving on board " Pennsylvania " . A short tour of duty at Quantico as Range Officer with the Rifle Range Detachment preceded his assignment as Assistant to the Training Officer , Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island at Parris Island , South Carolina . First Lieutenant Bailey was ordered to Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , in December 1940 where he joined the 1st Marine Brigade . He later joined the 7th Marine Regiment , then the 1st Marine Regiment , which returned to Parris Island not long after he reported for duty . He was promoted to captain in March 1941 . At Quantico in June 1941 , he joined the 5th Marine Regiment as a company commander . In February 1942 , his unit was redesignated the 1st Marine Raider Battalion . The unit was ordered to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego at San Diego , California , in April 1942 , and on April 30 , 1942 reached Tutuila , American Samoa . During the invasion of Tulagi , Solomon Islands , at the beginning of the Guadalcanal Campaign on August 7 , 1942 , Captain Bailey led a successful assault against a Japan ese machine gun nest . Although seriously wounded , he directed the action of his company until forcibly evacuated . For his " conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity , " he was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on Tulagi . He was promoted to major on May 8 , 1942 . Bailey later moved with his unit to Guadalcanal . As commanding officer of Company C , 1st Marine Raider Battalion , he led his men in repulsing a Japanese attack , which had penetrated American lines during the Battle of Edson ' s Ridge , 12 to September 14 , 1942 . Despite a severe head wound , he directed his men for more than 10 hours of fierce hand - to - hand combat . " His great personal valor while exposed to constant and merciless enemy fire , and his indomitable fighting spirit inspired his troops to heights of heroic endeavor which enabled them to repulse the enemy and hold Henderson Field . " Major Bailey was killed in action on September 26 , 1942 while heading his men in an attack on the Japanese at the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal ( see Actions along the Matanikau ) . He was buried on Guadalcanal , but his remains were reinterred in Spring Hill Cemetery , Danville , Illinois , in June 1948 . For his actions on Guadalcanal , Major Bailey was posthumuously awarded the Medal of Honor . Awards and honors . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to MAJOR KENNETH D . BAILEY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION : / S / FRANKLIN D . ROOSEVELT Namesakes . The United States Navy destroyer escort was named for Major Bailey . Her construction was cancelled in 1944 . In 1945 , the U . S . Navy destroyer , in commission from 1945 to 1970 , was named in his honor .