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Reservist Who Died During St. Pete Training Identified

Sgt. 1st Class James Bailey’s commander, Maj. Russell Eddy, recalled him as a “quiet, polite, respectful and a dutiful soldier.”

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The Associated Press

Published: January 15, 2009

The U.S. Army Reserve soldier who died Sunday in St. Petersburg during a training exercise has been identified as Sgt. 1st Class James Bailey Jr. of Belzoni, Miss., military officials say.

Bailey, 50, died at Bayfront Medical Center at 8:05 a.m. Sunday after collapsing during a run with his fellow soldiers, army spokesman Maj. William Ritter said in a written statement.

Two Army Reserve nurses tried to administer treatment to Bailey until paramedics arrived.

It appears the cause of death was cardiac arrest, Ritter said.

In a prepared statement, Bailey's commander, Maj. Russell Eddy, recalled him as a "quiet, polite, respectful and a dutiful soldier."

Bailey was assigned to Company "B," 345th Combat Support Hospital in St. Petersburg as a full-time motor sergeant. He joined the army in 1981. After fulfilling his obligation to the military, Bailey became an army reservist in 1994.

"Losing a soldier at home in a training environment is harder on us fellow soldiers as it is unexpected," Ritter said. "Our thoughts go out to his family, as they have lost a father, friend and leader."

Bailey is survived by three adult children, Ritter said. Funeral services have not been announced.

The 34th Combat Support Hospital's mission is to deploy personnel and equipment to soldiers in the field and to provide medical care. Bailey's job was to ensure vehicles were serviced and operational.

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