1948- Walt Disney’s office in Burbank, California: Standing with Walt (he didn’t like being called Mr. Disney) is his corporate pilot Marine Lt. Colonel Kelvin Bailey (retired), and 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.
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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.
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