Bailey Montgomery Talbot, IV, age 79, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2012.  He was born in Troy, Alabama on December 21, 1932.  The son of James Warnock Talbot and Margaret Black, he was named for his paternal grandfather, Bailey Montgomery Talbot, II.  After attending the Troy Public School System through the 9th grade, he transferred to Marion Military Institute (MMI) in Marion, Alabama.  While there, he was promoted to cadet Lt. Col. As the battalion commander, he led the White Knight precision drill team, and was selected as the corps’ most outstanding ROTC cadet for two consecutive academic years.  After graduating from MMI junior college, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Auburn University. While there, Bailey was promoted to cadet Colonel as the Army ROTC brigade commander.  He also became a member of Kappa Alpha Order fraternity.  Graduating in 1955, he received a commission in the Regular Army (Infantry), having been selected as a Distinguished Military Graduate.  The basic officers course and airborne/ranger training (all at Fort Benning, Georgia) were followed by three years in Alaska with Infantry units.  Later, he commanded a 1st Infantry Division company at Fort Riley, Kansas and a 7th Infantry Division company in Korea.  After completing the Infantry Officers Advance Course at Fort Benning, Georgia and ROTC instructor duty at MMI, Bailey went to Vietnam as Senior Advisor to a Vietnamese Infantry Regiment. Following Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas he served three years on the Department of Army Staff with Chief, Army Reserve at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.  A battalion command at Fort Polk, Louisiana, preceded another assignment to Korea as the Army Operations Officer with the United Nations Command.  He was a graduate of both the Army and Air War Colleges.  Bailey’s decorations include two Legions of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, three Commendation Medals, President Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, several foreign decorations, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, paratrooper wings and a ranger tab.  Bailey retired as Colonel of Infantry in 1985 after more than 30 years of active military service.

Bailey was a charter/life member of the Marion Military Institute, the Alumni Brigade, a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association, charter/life member of the Military Officers Foundation, charter member of the US Army Museum, charter/president and past member of Old Point, and past president of Hampton Kiwanis Club.

Bailey was preceded in death by his wife, Francis May Talbot, also of Troy, Alabama.

He is survived by four children, Bailey Montgomery Talbot, V, Cheryl Bothe and husband, Jerry, Paul Jerome Talbot and wife, Maribel, and Mary Talbot Schnede and husband, Klaus; grandsons, William Talbot Schnede and James Montgomery Schnede; granddaughter, Elizabeth Frances Schnede; and sister, Sarah T. Lawrence of Eufaula, Alabama.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, September 25 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home.  A celebration of Bailey’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 26, at 11:00 am at Fort Monroe Chapel of the Centurion.  Later in Troy, Alabama a visitation will be held on Friday, September 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Dillard Funeral Home.  A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 29 at 11:00 am at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Lung Association.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666.