A joint project of the Sam Rayburn House Historic Site and the Fannin County Historical Commission celebrating America 250 with spotlights of Fannin County citizens who participated in or witnessed historical events
Bonham, Texas -- Born in Bonham on April 2, 1908, Addison Bailey was the son of Annie Brandon and Bonham mayor Leonard Bailey.
During World War II he joined the Army Air Forces and served in the China-Burma-India Theatre as part of Major General Claire Chennault’s Headquarters Staff in Kunming, China. Chennault, born in Commerce, TX, created the American Volunteer Group (better known as the Flying Tigers) that flew missions in China before the U.S. officially entered WWII. This group later became part of the 14th Air Force, which is when Addison served.
1st Lt. Addison directed the 14th Air Force Band, where he played piano. After the war, he continued to play piano at nightclubs across the U.S. and the world.
Addison died on November 14, 1970, in New York, and is buried in plot A10 at Willow Wild Cemetery in Bonham.
This information was obtained from the Fannin Co., Texas GenWeb (txfannin.org) and other online sources.
The Sam Rayburn House SHS presented this information at their 2025 Cemetery Walking Tour. For a copy of the 2025 Cemetery Walking Tour guide or for other information, contact the Sam Rayburn House at (903) 583-5558 or email Margo.McCutcheon@thc.texas.gov.
