Retired Marine honored by city

A Green River Marine may have been honored by the city, but he claims one Green River volunteer is the real hero.

During a recent Green River Council meeting, retired Lt. Col., Pete Bailiff was presented with a plaque. Although he was touched by the recognition for his 30 years of service, that did not stop him from taking the opportunity to recognize Green River resident Harry Holler.

Bailiff presented Holler with an American Flag flown by an AH-1W Supercobra during a combat mission to provide air support for Marines in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, by Marine Light Attack Squadron 267. Holler's certificate was signed by both pilots who flew the mission with the flag. This flag was flown on the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks.

"I flew that flag for Harry because of all of the things he does and continues to do," Bailiff said. "He is the local hero."

These are strong words, especially coming from Bailiff, whose last billet was at the Pentagon, where he served as the senior aviation ordnance officer.

Bailiff sees Holler as a hero because he supports the servicemen and women of the past and present. Holler's reaction to the flag was priceless.

"He was humbled and quiet," Bailiff said. "Looked like he was teary eyed."

Bailiff knew he gave something to Holler that meant a lot to him.

"It's great to know he's doing stuff like that for veterans and members," he said. "When you're out there you know you're going to always get supported when you get home."

Bailiff said he and others always knew if Holler was in Green River, they would have the support they needed.

"The efforts that he's done not only for people like me, but for those who are coming home, it's countless," he said.

Bailiff's military career

Bailiff graduated from Green River High School in 1985 and started boot camp two weeks later.

"I started out as a private and retired as a Lt. Col," Bailiff said.

Being a lifer in the military was not Bailiff's original plan. In fact, he was just going to serve his four years and move on. Then, something happened to change his plans.

"I got into it and really enjoyed it, so I kept doing it," he said. "I enjoyed the comradery and the friendships I had in the Marine Corps. I wouldn't trade it ever. I'd do it again if I have to."

Bailiff traveled throughout the world during his military career. He was deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During his time in the Marines, Bailiff continued to work his way through the ranks and he received numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and the Combat Action Ribbon.

One of the highlights of Bailiff's military career was when he worked in the Pentagon as the senior aviation ordnance officer for nearly five years. He recently retired from this position.

"That's the highest you could obtain," Bailiff said. "That's like the pinnacle of your career. That's the job everyone wants."

"It was pretty neat," he said.

There wasn't a day where Bailiff wasn't seeing someone from the U.S. Secretary of Defense's office, someone from Fox News, or four-star generals from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force.

Another perk of the job was all of the large events Bailiff was invited to attend. It was typical to run into people like John McCain at these events. Meeting famous people was just part of the job.

As for the actual job itself, Bailiff really enjoyed it. He was proud of developing new aviation forward operating procedures and leading the implementation of those procedures.

These procedures were put to the test in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The aviation forward procedures were for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Bailiff wanted to ensure the aircraft would always have supplies and ground support during operations.

As they would progress quickly through the desert, Bailiff would set up teams ready to refill the helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with fuel and ammunition.

"We were landing them right at the edge of the battle," Bailiff said.

This significantly cut down on the turn around time. With Bailiff's procedure in place it would take about 15 minutes to refuel, restock ammo and get the aircraft back into the battle. The old way took 45 minutes in one direction. This time didn't include refueling, replenishing ammo or flying back time.

Bailiff said this wasn't a brand-new concept. He said he did research on the Vietnam War operations and discovered something similar was used then. However, the plan used then didn't always work out the best.

"I figured out how to do it safely and effectively," he said.

Bailiff's procedure worked so well that it was adopted and is now taught at the bases so they have it down during combat.

"It was always ever changing," Bailiff said.

He was always on the phone ensuring the Marines had what they needed while they were in the field. He helped develop plans on how to deal with ISIS.

After retiring, Bailiff had numerous job offers.

"I turned down quite a lot of jobs because we wanted to be near family," Bailiff said.

Even when he was far away, he would return to Green River every chance he got.

"You can't beat the people," he said.

Even though Bailiff is retired, he has not stopped helping out. He is a member of the Marine Corps League; and is in the process of working with other members to get programs going in Sweetwater County. His goal is to reach out and help other veterans.

"I'd like to get in there and help somebody because I am still able," he said.