WALTER C. BAILEY, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Walter Bailey '31 was raised in San Diego. From the Lucky Bag: "Having California sunshine was such a habit with Walt, that when he heard the call of the sea he brought a lot of it to Crabtown for others to enjoy. Being from a Navy town, it wasn't long before he became a real "Navy Man" and woe betide him who would discuss the shortcomings of our grand old Service.

He started Plebe Year as a freebooter, but soon found his place as a man-mauler, pickin' 'em up and layin' 'em down with the best of the brutes.

In the old Navy game of caulking [sleeping] he far out-shines any would-be competition. In fact, it is claimed that on Youngster Cruise he was blind for three days from sunburned eyeballs, after caulking with his eyes open.

As a wife [roommate] he approaches the ideal. He has a supply of knowledge that would shame Webster, a supply of skags [cigarettes] that would please a watch squad—and as a friend and shipmate no one could ask for a better."

Walter began his service aboard USS Lexington (CV 2); he served there until transferring to New London, Connecticut, for instruction in submarines by July 1933. In early 1934 he was stationed aboard USS S-33 (SS 138), a submarine homeported at Pearl Harbor. In late 1936 he was a LTjg aboard USS Bonita (SS 165), but by mid 1937 he had transferred to USS S-30 (SS 135) in New London. In July 1938 Walter was attending post-graduate school at the Naval Academy. Following this tour he was executive officer aboard USS Twiggs (DD 127). In November 1940 he was transferred to the Asiatic Fleet in the Philippines, and in April 1941 was aboard USS Permit (SS 178).

Our ability to trace his career ends here, but on February 27, 1942, he was aboard USS Langley (AV 3) when that ship was attacked and sunk by Japanese carrier aircraft in the Java Sea. There are two reports of his fate; he was either one of the roughly 11 men lost in the sinking, or was rescued from the water by one of the two destroyers nearby. He then might have been transferred to USS Pecos (AO 6), which was sunk by aircraft on March 1, 1942.

Walter was survived by his wife and two-year-old son.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WALTER_C._BAILEY,_LT,_USN

LEE S. PANCAKE, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Lee Pancake '31 was remembered in part in the Lucky Bag: "A determined nature and steady application have helped him to steer clear of the dreaded academics. His willingness always to help out a pal has endeared him to all of his friends — and they are many."

Following graduation he served first in destroyers and then aboard USS Oklahoma (BB 37) for some of 1933. By 1934 he was stationed aboard USS Augusta (CA 31), flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. He remained there through 1936; in 1937 he came back to the Naval Academy for post-graduate instruction. Sometime in 1939 he was a Lieutenant and engineering officer aboard USS Russell (DD 414).

By October 26, 1942, he was the engineering officer of Destroyer Squadron 2 and engaged in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

"The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Lee Sylvester Pancake (NSN: 0-70263), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Engineering Officer of Destroyer Squadron TWO, during the operations against enemy Japanese forces off the Santa Cruz Islands, on 26 October 1942. When hostile planes launched a vicious raid against the task force to which his group was attached, Lieutenant Commander Pancake, with cool courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety, unhesitatingly volunteered to go aloft to the director platform. There, although perilously exposed to violent attack by low-flying enemy staffers, he rendered valuable assistance in the spotting of Japanese aircraft until he was killed. His conspicuous initiative and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

He was aboard USS Morris (DD 417), DESRON 2's flagship.

Lee was survived by his wife, parents, three sisters, and four brothers.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/LEE_S._PANCAKE,_LCDR,_USN

CLIFFORD T. JANZ, LT, USN

LT Clifford Janz '31 was "Patient, generous, and warmhearted, Cliff makes an ideal roommate and a good friend. One reason he takes so well to activities may be to hold as many friends as possible. It's certainly a fact that his contagious smile and humor keep him always with someone around to " talk it over with.""

On the morning of December 7, 1941, he was "sending everyone in the vicinity to shelter below the armored deck" of USS Arizona (BB 39) when she was destroyed in a series of explosions.

Cliff had spend his career at sea in various destroyers until graduate school at the Naval Academy in 1938 and 1939; he transferred to USS Arizona sometime before October 1939.

Cliff was one of twelve Naval Academy graduates killed on that ship that morning; another twelve were killed elsewhere in the attack.

He was survived by his wife, parents, and 2-month old son.

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/CLIFFORD_T._JANZ,_LT,_USN

JOHN D. HUNTLEY, LCDR, USN

LCDR John Huntley '31 was executive officer of USS De Haven (DD 469) when that ship was sunk and he was killed on February 1, 1943, near Savo Island in the South Pacific.

From the Lucky Bag: "Jack first received the call of the Navy by looking over the great inland sea, Lake Erie. A successful four years in Clyde High School and preliminary training in the industrial word paved the way for entrance to the Naval Academy.

Jack's athletic interests have been confined to track and cross country, and many a spring afternoon he has spent in chasing up and down Farragut Field. He has been a member of the choir for four years, and he takes an enthusiastic interest in the doings of the Radio Club. He has an excellent knowledge of the devious ways of A. C. and radio waves. Few of his classmates can equal his practical knowledge of electricity.

The people back home who are interested in Jack have faith in his future, for they feel as we feel, that his fineness of character, sense of truth and honor will ultimately bring him the success he deserves. Despite his reserve, he can smile; and despite his youth he has dignity. These qualities, we know, will carry him on to the goal which he has chosen."

Earlier in the war, he was a Lieutenant, Assistant Gunnery Officer and Control Officer, Forward 5" Director, aboard USS Yorktown (CV 5). His gun mounts were credited with shooting down three Japanese torpedo planes at the Battle of the Coral Sea. He was aboard Yorktown when she was sunk at the Battle of Midway.

John was survived by his wife, two sons, his father, and his brother.

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JOHN_D._HUNTLEY,_LCDR,_USN

ELLIOTT E. MARSHALL, CDR, USN

CDR Elliott “Steam” Marshall ‘31 was lost in December 1942 when USS Capelin (SS 289), was sunk by Japanese forces. He was the boat’s commanding officer. 

The author of his Lucky Bag biography noted: “It is a little hard to get acquainted with Steam; but once acquainted he becomes one of your best friends. Four years together have served to strengthen our friendship with him and to give us a full insight of the inner man.” 

He had previously been awarded the Navy Cross for his success on a war patrol while in command of USS Cuttlefish (SS 171).

Elliott was survived by his wife and a son.

To Honor!