Bailey Ellefson, a 2018 graduate of Janesville Parker High School, is one of our most recent Travel Award recipients.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps prior to his senior year in high school. On July 29, 2018, he left for Basic Training at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA. From there Ellefson went to Mississippi for additional training, then left for Iwakuni, Japan on March 22, 2019.
Ellefson is a 7041 Aviation Specialist. He has taken several additional training opportunities and has worked up to a rank of Lance Corporal and Grey Belt. While still stationed in Japan, Ellefson is currently on a ship unable to come into port due to the pandemic. The ship was scheduled to port on May 1, but has been at sea for more than 70 days. Life on the ship consists of working 12 hours on and 12 hours off 7 days a week. He is looking forward to getting into port and getting back to Iwakuni!!
He is currently serving a 4 year active duty commitment, which will be followed by 4 years in the reserves. The motivation to enlist in the Marines was a result of a promise he made to his uncle prior to his uncle’s passing. Ellefson’s Uncle Robert was also a Marine and a life long friend, they shared many common interests.
When asked what is missed most about Bailey, his mother Angie, says that as the oldest of 4 boys, Bailey is her confidante and bestie, and that she misses having him around. Ellefson is hoping to travel home for the holidays this coming winter.
We would like to thank Bailey Ellefson for his service and wish him safe travels back to Iwakuni and home to Janesville.