The Highest Level of Valor

by Senior Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Gregory J. Knott

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor that our country bestows upon those serving in the armed forces for action against an enemy force.

I recently had the absolute privilege of having a Congressional Medal of Honor in my office at the University of Illinois Library. This medal was awarded to Major Kenneth M. Bailey of Danville, Illinois who was killed in action during the battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands on September 1942.

Bailey was a 1935 graduate of the University of Illinois and is the only Illinois alumni to ever be awarded the Medal of Honor. After graduation from Illinois, Bailey joined the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant on July 1, 1935.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked the American base at Pearl Harbor Hawaii and our participation in WW II had begun. The 1st Marine Raider Battalion, of which Bailey was a member, were ordered from San Diego to Tutuila, American Samoa, arriving there April 30, 1942

By the summer of 1942, the Allies had made plans for a major offensive in the Solomon Islands, which were held by the Japanese. These Islands were vital for supply lines which the allies needed to resupply and support their troops.

On August 7, 1942, 8 months to the day after Pearl Harbor, the allied forces invaded at several locations in the Solomons under an offensive designated Operation Watchtower. Part of Operation Watchtower included taking a very small island known as Tulagi. Company C, 1st Marine Raider Battalion under the leadership of Bailey was given this task. The allies had surprised the Japanese and fierce fighting ensued. Bailey was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his heroism at Tulagi.

As Bailey and company C were fighting in Tulagi, other Marine units had invaded Guadalcanal and could take the airfield which was later named Henderson Field. Guadalcanal was a small but strategic location within the Solomon Islands. The Japanese forces had been building an airfield and base that was intended to cut off vital Allied supply lines.

But the Japanese were determined to retake Henderson Field and attacked the Americans’ relentlessly. Company C having left Tulagi was sent to Bloody Ridge on Guadalcanal to help the allies hold and defend Henderson Field.

September 12-14 saw fierce fighting with the Japanese who had penetrated some of the American lines on Bloody ridge near Henderson field. Bailey led his men in repulsing a Japanese attack on their position. Two Japanese bullets pierced his helmet. Exhausting hand to hand combat continued for 10 hours. The Marines had repulsed the Japanese attack and held Henderson field.

On September 27, 1942, Major Bailey was killed by a Japanese sniper as Company C was fighting along the Matanikau River. For his actions in the battle at Bloody Ridge he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Holding Major Bailey’s medal was a humbling experience. I couldn’t help but think about his tremendous story of service and sacrifice to ensure that our country and freedoms would endure for future generations.

Thank you, Major Bailey, for your dedication, service and personal sacrifice to ensure the United States of America remains a free nation and beacon of light for the world.

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is the Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC.

What Makes Us Different?

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

WB Ken Baril

We owe our being to those who came before us. We are here because they were here, and of the way, their lives unfolded. Imagine, if you will, the countless chance happenings, the many coincidences and accidents, all of which had to come about in the precise way they did, in order to result in our being here,  and, being what we are! Each of us attends our Lodge meetings because we want to. We attend because we firmly believe beyond a shadow of a doubt, that due to our efforts, we are making this world a better place. But what makes us as Masons, different from members of other fraternal organizations? We are members of what the Masonic community refers to as, “the greatest fraternity in the world.” 

This is quite a powerful statement! I believe we are different as Masons because the instinct to become a Mason was born in us. I don’t believe the subtle hints that may have been directed to us at one time or another by a Mason to a non-Mason has anything to do with our becoming a member. Sooner, or later, we would have joined because inwardly, the calling was already there, and would eventually emerge when the time was right. However strange this reasoning may seem, let’s investigate further. Each man who becomes a member of our grand fraternity is someone very special; someone who has a certain quality of character distinguishing him from others. These qualities do not imply we are better than others but the burning desire within us to help our fellowman burns at a much higher degree of intensity than most.

It is not a superficial desire, as it is a deep one. No man kneels at our Altar of Obligation and arises the same man. The oaths we have taken at the Altar of Obligation are deeply imbedded in our minds and we practice the tenets of our order towards all humankind, well after the Master has closed his lodge, while we are constantly reminded of the, “Point within a Circle.” Each one of us, as Masons, practice our tenets, as the younger generations refer to as, “twenty-four seven.” We are men of strong convictions and we are not, swayed easily. We are extremely patriotic and have within our ranks many true American heroes. We consider all men as our equal and look down upon no one but I have learned that a man has the right to look down on somebody, only when he is helping him up. 

We extend our hand to the fallen and the down trodden as a token of our brotherly love, and, under no circumstance does any sound of distress reach our ears in vain, or any outstretched hand seeks our aid without response. Each of us has a very strong connection to Deity and our cable-tow is that connection.  

I firmly believe that here, within the Temple of Masonry, men differing in language, in modes of thought, in dress and in habits of life, are able to meet around a common altar, share a common hope, and seek a common ideal. These mental images do not seem to appear in other fraternal organizations. We have been taught in our beloved order, the relative importance of self-analysis to the duties of life. 

Each day or night, when we review our actions, behavior and thoughts, and attempt to see how they coincide with our own philosophy, and measure up to the standards outlined by the craft, we improve ourselves as better men and better Masons. I doubt whether other fraternal organizations leave this impression upon their members. Our ancient brotherhood is founded upon the principles of love, hope, and charity, principles that through many centuries have led to the betterment of humanity. In Masonry, we are taught to search not for the transient pleasure, but for the philosophy and the guidance that will aid us in gaining the most from the short time we are accorded here, by contributing the most to our fellow man. 

Our teachings do not pass quickly into and out of existence. Our teachings do not vanish, end, nor die. The advantage we have as members of this fine organization is that it has been in existence for a long, long, time. Unfortunately, other fraternal organizations do not have the same time - frame of experience as we do. After all, we have centuries of experience and many “Masonic celebrities” have contributed so much to our being. So here, we have, “the greatest fraternity in the world.” And why is it so great?  

Because you are a member and our members are the GREATEST men in the world! 

~SKB

WB Ken Baril was born in New Haven, CT. and moved to the Cincinnati area in 1999. He is a three time Master of his lodge, Temple Lodge No. 16. AF & AM, 1982-1983-1995, located in Cheshire, CT. While living in Connecticut and prior to his moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, Ken has been the featured speaker at many public schools and Veterans organizations. Ken is a published author who has written a book focusing on members of the Masonic Fraternity who have been recipients of our nation’s highest award for bravery, the prestigious Medal of Honor called "The Medal of Honor - The Letter G in Valor".  Ken has dedicated his time and effort to researching and developing various programs including, “The Medal of Honor Program,” “The Immortal Four Chaplains,” as well as many others. His programs are dedicated to the preservation of an important portion of American history, contributions, and sacrifices, in the defense of the United States, and to the memory of all those who have given their lives in the pursuit of that objective. He also writes articles for various Masonic publications. He served his country during the Korean War in the United States Air Force. He currently resides in Hudson, FL. with his wife, Marion.