REP. JOHN KATKO PRESENTS LONG OVERDUE PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL TO SYRACUSE WWII VETERAN

SYRACUSE, NY – In a ceremony held this morning, U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) presented a long overdue Prisoner of War (POW) Medal to Mr. Fay C. Bailey, a 94 year-old World War II veteran taken prisoner in 1944 while serving as a Second Lieutenant Pilot in the United States Army Air Forces.  Representatives from the 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Air National Guard Base joined Rep. Katko for the presentation.

Mr. Bailey left his studies in Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson University in 1942 to enlist in the armed forces.  Two years later, while stationed in Southern Italy, Mr. Bailey was flying as a substitute pilot on a B-24 bomber when and his crew were shot down by German soldiers.  He was held captive as a Prisoner of War for nine months, until April 1945.

In December 1990, Mr. Bailey was informed by the Secretary of the Air Force that he had been awarded the Prisoner of War Medal.  However, he never physically received the award.  Around Veterans Day 2015, Mr. Bailey saw local news coverage of veterans being awarded medals they were owed.  This prompted him to contact Representative Katko, who was able to secure the medal owed to Mr. Bailey from the Department of the Air Force.

“Mr. Bailey selflessly served our country and made incredible sacrifices to ensure that our freedoms remained protected,” said Representative John Katko. “At a young age, he joined our nation’s Armed Services and faced the most unimaginable circumstances as a Prisoner of War.  He is truly deserving of this recognition, and it is my distinct honor to present Mr. Bailey with this medal today.”

Following WWII, Mr. Bailey completed his studies at Clarkson University in Mechanical Engineering.  He and his wife, Rita Taylor, reside in the Town of Onondaga.

The Prisoner of War Medal was created by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1985.  It is authorized for any person who, while serving in any capacity within the United States Armed Forces, was held as a Prisoner of War after April 5, 1917. 

Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District of New York, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County.  For more information, please visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko.

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