BAILIS M. BELL, ENS, USN

Bailis Bell '43

Date of birth: January 5, 1920

Date of death: September 5, 1942

Age: 22

Lucky Bag

From the 1943 Lucky Bag:

BAILIS MITCHELL BELL

Parkersburg, West Virginia

I'll tell you how it is, fellas," and B.M. was explaining the intricacies of academics or giving sage advice. West Virginia sent us a pilot, a voice for the choir, a swimmer, a real roommate, and a competent student. B.M. combined social and academic pursuits into that happy medium for which we all strive. His serious nature and sophisticated knowledge hidden by a buoyant spirit should make him the kind of officer this Navy needs. His first love is naval aviation in which he intends to specialize, and we'll be glad to row him aboard our ship any time.

He was commander of 6th Company for the second set and a member of the swimming team.

The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

Bailis was lost when USS Little (APD 4) was sunk near Guadalcanal by Japanese surface forces early in the morning of September 5, 1942.

He has a memory marker in West Virginia. His next of kin was listed as his mother, Mary Agnes Deberry Bell, of Washington, D.C.. His service number was O-165749.

Class of 1943

Bailis is one of 79 members of the Class of 1943 in Memorial Hall.