Francis William Billado

Francis William Billado (March 3, 1907 – September 13, 1966) was a Vermont attorney and military officer who served as Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard.

Francis W. Billado
Francis W. Billado, Vermont National Guard Adjutant General, 1955–1966.
BornMarch 3, 1907 (1907-03-03)
Rutland, Vermont
DiedSeptember 13, 1966 (1966-09-14) (aged 59)
Burlington, Vermont
Buried
Fort Ethan Allen Cemetery
Colchester, Vermont
Allegiance Vermont
 United States
Service/branch Vermont National Guard
United States Army
Years of service1923–1966
Rank Major General
Commands held1st Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment[1]
Vermont National Guard
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsLegion of Merit
Other workAttorney

Early life

Billado was born in Rutland, Vermont, on March 3, 1907.[2] He graduated from Norwich University in 1933, and was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity.[3] He then studied law, attained admission to the bar, and became an attorney in Rutland.[4]

Start of military career

Billado joined the Vermont National Guard's 172nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division in 1923. He continued to serve during his high school and college years, and received his commission in 1933. He maintained his membership in the military after beginning his law practice.[5]

He was mobilized for World War II and commanded 1st Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment. He also carried out staff assignments with the 43rd Infantry Division, War Department General Staff, I Armored Corps in the North African Campaign and Seventh United States Army during the invasion of Sicily.[6][7]

Post-World War II

After the war Billado returned to practicing law in Rutland. A Republican, he served in the Vermont House of Representatives in 1947, 1953, and 1955. He also served in local offices, including President of the Rutland School Board.[8]

Billado also continued to serve in the National Guard, becoming Lieutenant Colonel and second in command of the 172nd Infantry Regiment in 1946.[9]

Billado's military education included completion of the United States Army Command and General Staff College.[10]

Adjutant General

In 1955 the Vermont General Assembly elected Billado adjutant general.[11] (Since the 1860s, the Vermont General Assembly elects the Adjutant General for a two-year term. At the time, elections took place in February of each odd-numbered year, and terms start in March.) He was promoted to Major General, and served until his death. Billado resided in Burlington after becoming Adjutant General.

In 1957 Billado made national headlines when he called for the firing of Secretary of Defense Charles Erwin Wilson after Wilson called the National Guard a haven for "draft dodgers" during the Korean War.[12]

Death and burial

Billado died suddenly at his home in Burlington on September 13, 1966, as the result of accidentally choking on a piece of food.[13][14][15][16] He was buried in Colchester's Fort Ethan Allen Cemetery, across the road from the Vermont National Guard headquarters at Camp Johnson.

Awards

Billado was a recipient of the Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal, and Vermont Distinguished Service Medal. In addition, he received the American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, World War II Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Battle Star, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold and bronze hourglass devices.[17][18]

Additional honors

The National Guard armory in Williston, Vermont, was named for him.[19]

Billado was a member of the Lake Champlain Yacht Club. In his honor the club created the Billado Trophy, awarded annually to the club member whose boat finishes first on corrected time in the seasonal handicap races sailed with novice crews.[20]

Family

In 1938 Billado married Ruth Bourquin (1908–2005).[21] They had three children: Francis William, Barrie Lynne (Cohen), and Virginia Helen (Farrell).[22][23]

References
  1. National Guard Association of the United States, The National Guardsman, Volume 20, 1966, p.. 67
  2. Vermont, Vital Records, 1720-1908, birth record for Francis Wm. Billado, retrieved December 16, 2013
  3. Theta Chi fraternity, The Rattle of Theta Chi, Volume 19, 1930, p. 30
  4. H. A. Manning, Manning's Rutland Directory, 1938, p. 32
  5. National Guard Association of the United States, Official Proceedings, Annual Meeting, Volumes 87-92, 1967, p. 194
  6. Vermont of Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory, 1950, p. 670
  7. Theta Chi Fraternity, The Rattle of Theta Chi, Volume 55, Issue 2, 1967, p. 30
  8. H. A. Manning Company, Manning's Rutland Directory, 1952, p. 139
  9. Vermont Adjutant General, Annual report, 1950, p. 6
  10. Theta Chi Fraternity, The Rattle of Theta Chi, Volume 55, Issue 2, 1967, p. 30
  11. Associated Press, Bennington Banner, Francis Billado Named Adjutant General of State, February 18, 1955
  12. Associated Press, Bennington Banner, Maj. Gen. Billado Demands Ouster Of Secretary Wilson, January 30, 1957
  13. Associated Press, Portsmouth Herald, General Dies, September 14, 1966
  14. Vermont Adjutant General, Annual Report, 1966, p. 3
  15. Vermont Death Records, 1909–2008, entry for Francis W. Billado, retrieved December 16, 2013
  16. U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935–2013, entry for Francis W. Billado, retrieved December 16, 2013
  17. Vermont Adjutant General, Annual Report, 1966, p. 3
  18. Theta Chi Fraternity, The Rattle of Theta Chi, Volume 55, Issue 2, 1967, p. 30
  19. Associated Press, Bennington Banner, Gen. Billado is Honored; Williston Armory is Dedicated, February 3, 1959
  20. Lake Champlain Yacht Club, Weekend Series – Spinnaker Overall Winner / Billado Trophy, 2012
  21. Vermont, Marriage Records, 1909–2008, entry for Francis William Billado, retrieved December 16, 2013
  22. Marquis Who's Who, Who Was Who in American History: The Military, 1975, p. 47
  23. Federation Genealogie, Obituary, Ruth Bourquin Billado Archived 2013-12-17 at the Wayback Machine, originally published in Burlington Free Press, October 16, 2005
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