VMI Foundation, Inc.
Honoring “Eagle” – The Class of 1960 Memorializes a Fallen Brother Rat dean of the faculty and deputy superintendent Almost immediately, a couple of people exOn Jan. 25, 2015, Cadet Tiffany A. Haines ’15 for academics, and Col. Dean Lee, the Air Force became the first cadet to receive the Capt. Paul pressed a willingness to cover the entire cost of M. Bayliss USAF 1960 Memorial Scholarship. the plaque. According to Williamson, however, ROTC detachment commander, Williamson The scholarship was established by the Class Moss had another idea. “He suggested limiting spoke at the presentation ceremony. In his remarks, he praised Bayliss’ character. “Beneath of 1960 in honor of their brother rat who was the amount of each gift so that it would be a class wide effort. We did, and we started hearing from that happy-go-lucky exterior was a steel spine killed in action. To some, those mere facts might illustrate a fairly straightforward story of a class people we had not heard from in a while, and and streak of determination a mile wide; the necessary attributes of a fighter pilot.” The coming together to honor him at VMI, but there soon, we were oversubscribed.” The plaque was dedicated during the 50th Re- scholarship is important, he continued, because is a bit more to the story. “it keeps his memory and his example alive.” union weekend in a ceremony that was attended The scholarship has its roots in the efforts Reba Bayliss and Patrick Bayliss also attended of the Class of 1960 to honor Capt. Bayliss, by Bayliss’ widow and his son, a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a submariner. the presentation ceremony. Of the Class of the only member of that class to be killed in action during the Vietnam War. As a cadet, After the ceremony, discussion then shifted to 1960’s efforts to honor her husband, she replied, “These men have been wonderBayliss, nicknamed “Eagle” by ful with the memorial and the his class, was well-known for, as scholarship. I was reminded his history in The Bomb states, of that dedication service to“his happy, carefree way.” His day. I was overwhelmed then, brother rat, Bolling Williamson and I am overwhelmed now. ’60, who lived next door to BaylThis scholarship will keep Pat’s iss’ room for two years, recalled, memory alive, as well as help “I never saw him have a down other cadets fulfill their dreams day. I could be in my room … of serving their country.” wondering what in the world After the ceremony, Haines could go wrong next – the door said, “This is incredibly rewardwould kick open and in would ing, and I consider it a special walk ‘Eagle,’ hat cocked on the blessing. I didn’t realize how back of his head [and] in about special it would be, however, 10 seconds, everything would be until this day came and I was back on track.” able to meet the family and After working for an engineermembers of the Class of 1960.” ing company, Bayliss entered From left, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bolling Williamson ’60, Patrick Bayliss, Tiffany “The Class of 1960 has estabAir Force pilot training and A. Haines ’15, Mrs. Reba Bayliss, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Clay ’60, and lished an extraordinary memograduated in March 1962. He Col. Dean W. Lee. Photo by Kevin Remington. rial to their fallen brother rat,” served as an instructor pilot before joining the 606th Air Commando what should be done with the money left over said Bryan, himself a former Air Force pilot. “They not only created a physical memorial to Squadron, which was based in Thailand and from the fundraising effort to purchase and place flew modified T-28s in missions against the the plaque. The decision was made to establish their beloved brother rat at VMI, but through Ho Chi Minh Trail. On Nov. 7, 1966, Bayliss’ a scholarship, and representatives of the class their sustained generosity, created a living memorial to him here, as well.” aircraft was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire, and approached Buddy Bryan ’71, vice president of Williamson provided some final thoughts. he was killed. He left behind his wife, Reba, and the VMI Foundation. “During discussions about an infant son, Patrick, whom he had never seen. the scholarship,” Williamson recalled, “we de- “‘Eagle’ embodied what VMI was about. He was a patriot with the heart, commitment and Mindful of the approach of the Class of 1960’s cided that it would best reflect Bayliss’ legacy if 50th Reunion, not long after the class’ previous it were restricted in award to a cadet pursuing an determination of a warrior – these are the charreunion, Howard Moss ’60, also an Air Force Air Force commission who has been chosen for acteristics that VMI instills in its alumni. I am what is known as a ‘rated career field;’ that is, a honored to have known him and grateful for pilot and Vietnam War veteran, approached Williamson with the idea of honoring Bayliss with a pilot or combat systems officer. We also decided the opportunities to honor him and his legacy.” that such things as grades and rank would not commemorative plaque in Memorial Gardens. Editor’s Note: Unless stated otherwise, be determining factors. In a sense, we wanted a With another brother rat – and a roommate of the articles and photos in the FoundaBayliss’ – Bob Clay ’60, they drew up a basic good, all-around cadet who was as well-liked as tion section of the Alumni Review are ‘Eagle’ had been.” concept for a plaque and then contacted the provided by the Foundation. Along with Brig. Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith Jr. ’79, Class of 1960 about the project.
2015-Issue 3
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