Charles P. Bailey (pilot) facts for kids

Charles Phillip Bailey Sr. (born November 25, 1918 – died April 1, 2001) was a brave officer in the United States Army Air Forces. He was one of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. These pilots were known for their courage and skill. Charles Bailey was one of their most decorated fighter pilots. He was also the very first African American fighter pilot from Florida.

During World War II, he flew 133 missions. These missions took him over parts of Europe and North Africa. He was so skilled that he shot down two enemy planes. For his amazing bravery, the U.S. Army Air Corps gave him four Air Medals. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Early Life and Dreams

Charles P. Bailey was born in Punta Gorda, Florida, on November 25, 1918. His family and friends called him "Phillip." He grew up with eight brothers and sisters. As a child, he delivered newspapers in his hometown.

Back then, there was a lot of racial segregation in the American South. This meant Black and white people were kept separate. Charles went to Baker Academy for elementary and middle school. But Punta Gorda did not have a high school for African Americans. So, he moved to Ocala, Florida, to attend the all-Black Howard Academy. He was a great student and played football well.

After high school, Bailey went to Bethune-Cookman University. This was a historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida. He played football there on a full scholarship. Charles really wanted to be a pilot. But Bethune-Cookman did not have a pilot program. Other historically Black colleges like Tuskegee Institute did.

Luckily, Mary McLeod Bethune, the founder of Bethune-Cookman, knew about his dream. She was a close friend of First Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt. Mary Bethune helped Charles transfer to Tuskegee Institute. There, he could join their excellent aviation program.

A Hero in the Sky

In August 1942, Charles Bailey joined the U.S. Army. On April 29, 1943, he finished his training. He earned his silver wings and became a 2nd Lieutenant. The U.S. Army Air Corps sent him to the 99th Fighter Squadron. This squadron was part of the 332nd Fighter Group. One of his classmates was Wilson Vashon "Swampy" Eagleson II. He was another famous Tuskegee Airman.

In Fall 1943, Bailey went to North Africa as a pilot for the 99th Fighter Squadron. He flew 133 combat missions. These missions took him over places like Central Europe, Germany, Sicily, Italy, France, and the Rhineland.

He flew a plane he loved, a P-40 Warhawk. He named it “Josephine” after his mother. In this plane, he shot down two German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters. He also flew a P-51 plane. He named this one “My Buddy” to honor his father.

During one mission over the Mediterranean, a piece of shrapnel hit him. It struck him near his heart. But a Bible he kept in his flight jacket pocket stopped the blow. It saved his life! In 1947, Bailey left the military. He had reached the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Life After the War

After leaving the military, Charles Bailey went back to Bethune-Cookman College. He earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. He became a school teacher in DeLand, Florida. He taught for many years before he retired.

Later, he went back to school again. He studied mortuary science at the Cincinnati College of Embalming. He then opened the Charles P. Bailey Funeral Home. It served the Deland, Florida community for decades. His children later combined it with another local funeral home.

In 1995, doctors found that Bailey had Alzheimer's disease. In 2000, he wandered from his home and went missing. A search team looked for him but could not find him at first. Then, one searcher shouted, "Do you know anything about the Tuskegee Airmen?” Even though he was hungry and tired, Bailey immediately replied, "Yes.”

The Fighting Bailey Brothers

Charles Bailey came from a very special family. He and his six brothers were called the "Fighting Bailey Brothers." All of the men in his family, along with their two sisters, served in the U.S. military. They served during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.

• Maurice M. Bailey (1906–1990): The oldest brother. He was a sergeant in the “Red Ball Express” during World War II. This group supplied troops with food and fuel. He also served in the Korean War.
• Paul Bailey (1922–1987): A U.S. Army Private First Class. He helped chaplains in the Western Pacific during World War II. After the war, he studied music.
• Berlin J. Bailey (1912–1997): He was a U.S. Navy electrician's mate. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was at the fierce battle of Guadalcanal.
• Harding C. Bailey (1920–1984): He was an electrician's mate. He served on the USS Mason in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The USS Mason was the first Navy ship with mostly African American crew members.
• Carl A. Bailey (1929–1957): The first African American jet pilot from Florida. He did not fight in combat. He died in a car accident at age 28.
• Arthur J. Bailey (1925-1959): A corporal in the US Marine Corps. He served on Iwo Jima during World War II.

In 1946, Charles Bailey married Bessie L. Fitch Bailey (June 25, 1915 - December 6, 2008). She was also from Punta Gorda, Florida. Bessie worked for 25 years as an Executive Secretary at Bethune-Cookman University. She also worked for 20 years as the personal secretary to Mary McLeod Bethune. Charles and Bessie had two sons, Charles Bailey Jr. and James A. Bailey.

Honors and Recognition

Charles P. Bailey received many honors for his service:

• In 2000, the City of Deland, Florida honored him with a bronze plaque.
• In 2007, a new terminal at Punta Gorda Airport was named after him and his brothers.
• Also in 2007, the City of Deland placed a bronze statue of Bailey at the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum. His wife Bessie and fellow Tuskegee Airman Hiram Mann were there.

Military Awards

Charles P. Bailey received several important military awards:

Death

Charles P. Bailey passed away on October 14, 2001. He died in DeLand, Florida. He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Daytona Beach, Florida.

See also

• Executive Order 9981
• List of Tuskegee Airmen
• List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
• Military history of African Americans