Stan. S. Katz

Author of The Emperor and the Spy

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Read the Intro Posts

INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF PEACE

WELCOME!

Recent Posts

  • San Diego Jewish Journal Holocaust Remembrance Edition May 2016 highlights the historical novel, The Emperor and the Spy and the outstanding achievements of Colonel Sidney Mashbir.
  • The Emperor and the Spy, was one of two books highlighted during academic/diplomatic event sponsored by the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan and hosted by San Diego World Affairs Council
  • Osher Lifelong Education Institute – UCSD Presentation. Remarkable story, the alliance between a patriotic U.S. Intelligence Agent, Colonel Sidney Mashbir, and a humanitarian Japanese International Statesman, Prince Iyesato Tokugawa, who heroically delayed and attempted to prevent WWII in the Pacific.
  • Tokugawa & Komatsu, Forgotten Heroes – Until his passing in 1940, Prince Iyesato Tokugawa held back WWII in the Pacific – Tokugawa’s diplomatic legacy lived on after WWII ended, when his protégé, Takashi Komatsu, guided the US and Japan to again become friends and allies.
  • Have you ever wondered how US and Japan re-established their friendship and alliance following the trauma of WWII? Here’s a new biography that honors an amazing Japanese American statesman, Takashi Komatsu, who guided this major achievement.

Archives

1948 – Walt Disney and his corporate pilot Marine Colonel Kelvin Bailey (retired) promote the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots gift campaign.

August 27, 2021 by Stan S. Katz 5 Comments

 

One of Colonel Sidney Mashbir’s good friends was Marine Lt. Colonel Kelvin Bailey. When Kelvin Bailey retired from the military, he became corporate pilot for Walt Disney. This 1948 Photo was taken in Walt Disney’s office in Burbank, California. Standing with Walt (he didn’t like being called Mr. Disney) is Kelvin Bailey. They are accompanied by Kelvin’s wife Gwen, who was something of a starlet in her day.

The author of this blog post was gifted this photo by Colonel Robert F. Warren, who was a mutual friend of Colonel Sidney Mashbir and Colonel Kelvin Bailey.

Please note the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots gift boxes in the photo. This national non-profit organization distributes toys to needy kids during the Holidays. Kelvin was an ideal representative for the United States Marine Corps Reserve who run the program. The poster was designed by Walt, and it was the first poster designed for the Toys for Tots program.

Robert Warren shared the below biographical details about Kelvin Bailey.

Kelvin Bailey’s Marine Corps service in WWII included combat flying dive bombers in the Philippine Islands, were exemplary.

Years later, Kelvin became the staff pilot for Medal of Honor recipient Marine Major General Christian Schilt – Schilt received the MOH at a White House Lawn ceremony in 1928. It was presented by President Calvin Coolidge for General Schilt’s heroic action during the Banana Wars in Central America during the 1920s. During a battle, Schilt saved the lives of many wounded Marines by landing his bi-plane, under intense gunfire, on a dirt road in the middle of a town in Nicaragua, delivering ammunition and taking out the wounded who were fastened to the wings. Christian F. Schilt was the 2nd person promoted to the rank of 4 Star Marine Corps General. Previously, the only 4 Star Marine Corps General was the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Schilt received his promotion to 4 Stars on the day he retired.

Robert first met Sidney Mashbir’s friend Kelvin in 1952, at the El Toro Marine Air Station in California, when Robert started his five year tenure as General Schilt’s Aide. The reason Robert was selected for that job was because he could teach Schilt to fly a helicopter. Schilt wore his Lieutenant General (3 Star) rank as the Director of Marine Aviation when Kelvin Bailey and Robert Warren worked for him in Washington for a couple of years.

Robert and Kelvin planned the General’s multiple trips to the Far East and many around the USA as well, often to Washington, D.C. When General Schilt retired in 1957, Kelvin started flying from Washington National Airport, his flights included Presidential candidates Goldwater, Kennedy, and Nixon, monitored by the CIA.

Unexpectedly, Kelvin received a call from a Walt Disney Productions Executive who asked if he would be interested in flying a newly manufactured Disney jet called “Mickey Mouse One.” He accepted the offer and became Walt Disney’s personal pilot, flying the Walt Disney Productions Gulfstream for over ten years. He often flew Walt to Kissimmee, Florida during the planning and building of Walt Disney World. The Gulfstream call sign was, ‘2-3-4 Mickey Mouse’.

 

 

This news article gives details about the Toys for Tots gifting program and the history of Walt Disney Co. as one of the earliest supporters of this organization, working with the Marine Corps Reserves.

Below is a transcription of this article:

Written by Teresa Anicola, Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, 07 November 2002, Page 17.

“Bring a new toy to the movie”

“If you’re planning to see Disney’s holiday movie The Santa Clause 2 starring Tim Allen this month bring along something extra – a new toy. Collection bins for the Marine Corp Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program will be place in theaters nationwide so needy children can receive a new toy this holiday season. Toy collections began Sunday and continue through Dec. 18. In addition to theaters, the bins will be place in restaurants and major malls nationwide.

55th season

This year marks the 55th holiday season the Marine Corp Reserves and Disney, a founding sponsor of the drive, have joined to brighten the lives of children. “The mission of both Toys for Tots and the Walt Disney Co. is to help bring a smile to a child’s face.” Said Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Eisner.

The Walt Disney Co. has been an original sponsor of the program since its inception in 1947. In 1948, Walt Disney personally designed the original Toys for Tots logo, which is still in use. He also designed the first poster created for the campaign in 1956 featuring Donald Duck dressed as Santa Claus driving the Toys for Tots logo train.

“We are extremely grateful to Walt Disney for all of their years of support,” said Maj. Bill Green of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Last year, more than 6 million children received toys. Toy collection and distribution will take place in 1,400 communities.

————————————————————————————–

Regrettably, Colonel Bailey had a serious automobile accident and his health went downhill, but Robert remained his close friend throughout the remainder of Kelvin’s life.

For the past several years, Robert recommended Kelvin Bailey be enshrined in the Michigan Aviation Hall Of Fame.

On April 18th, 2020, a dinner ceremony was scheduled to honor Bailey’s induction into that museum.

What is the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinement? 

The Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame was established in 1987 to recognize men and women who have made significant contributions to aviation. Each year, the Air Zoo is proud to induct a new class of enshrines, who take their place in the Hall of Fame exhibit located inside the Air Zoo. Learn more at airzoo.org/michigan-aviation-hall-of-fame.  

An image of Kelvin Bailey is in the upper left of the above illustration.

Robert stated that he was proud of his long association with Kelvin Bailey and was very pleased with Kelvin’s forthcoming inclusion into military aviation history.

“He richly deserves this high honor.”

 

 

This website includes additional historical information about Kelvin Bailey’s good friends Colonel Sidney Mashbir and Colonel Robert F. Warren.

Below are the autobiographies of these two distinguished military officers:

 

 

 

 

Almost a textbook on Military Intelligence. Originally published 1953.

 

There is also a historical espionage novel about Colonel Mashbir’s adventures. 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Mashbir Archives Tagged With: Aviation Hall of Fame, Christian Schilt, Christmas in Hollywood, Colonel Kelvin Bailey, Colonel Mashbir Archives, Colonel Robert F. Warren, Colonel Robert Warren, Colonel Sidney Mashbir, Disney and Charity, DrStanKatz.com, Ed Eisner, General Christian Schilt, History of Disney Company, History of Walt Disney Company, Kelvin Bailey, Marine Corps League Toys for Tots, Marine Lt. William Warren, Marine Major General Christian Schilt, Mashbir Archives, Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame, ONLY IN AMERICA, Only in My America, Only in My America by Colonel Robert Warren, Robert Warren, Stan S. Katz, Stan S. Katz blog, The art of diplomacy, The Art of Diplomacy biography, The Art of Peace biography, The Emperor and the Spy, TheEmperorAndTheSpy.com, Toys for Tots, U.S. Japan relations, U.S.-Japan History, US Japan relations, Walt Disney, Walt Disney and Charity, Walt Disney and Kelvin Bailey, Walt Disney and the Marines, Walt Disney and Toys for Tots, Walt Disney's pilot, William Warren

Comments

  1. Virginia McKenzie says

    February 21, 2024 at 4:50 pm

    Hello, my name is Virginia McKenzie the great niece of Kelvin Bailey. Kelvin’s last surviving brother Victor passed away peacefully at the age of 101. Family in this generation tend not to be closely knitted and stories of strength honor and heroism are being lost. I homeschool my 9 children and I do not want the legacy of their great great uncle kelvin to be lost.
    Just in your write up I found that Uncle Kelvin was inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame and that recognition is found in Kalamazoo, MI.
    I lived in Michigan, ironically 7 miles from the Airzoo where that recognition rests.

    I would like any help possible obtaining addition history on our uncle. I would like to know if Mr Robert Warren is still alive. He seems to be a close friend to Kelvin.
    Thank you for your time and I’m hoping you can be a help in giving us more fascinating information.

    Have a wonderful day!
    Virginia McKenzie

    Reply
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