Billman, LeRoy H.

LEROY HOSE BILLMAN

TEC 5
U.S. ARMY 

Leroy Hose Billman was born March 4, 1925 in Waynedale, Indiana to Flavius and Gladys Billman. He had four brothers (Merlin, Ernest, Homer, and Carl), three sisters (Marjory, Evelyn, and Lula Belle), and a half sister (Elsa).The young family spent time in Berne and Geneva, Indiana before moving to Ridgeville, Indiana. Leroy's brother Ernest died a few days shortly after his birth. His brother, Seaman 1st Class Merlin Billman, served in the Navy and was killed during a kamikaze attack on the USS Braine at the Battle of Okinawa. A third brother, Homer stayed home and worked in factories during the war supporting his mother and father. His father, Flavius, was a WWI Veteran and worked as a blacksmith for many years in Ridgeville Indiana. His mother passed away in 1947, leaving many of the younger children to be cared for at the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors Children's Home in Knightstown, Indiana. 

Leroy was enrolled in the Geneva school system throughout his childhood, finally dropping out after his completion of the 7th grade. After Leroy dropped out, he quickly began working at the Indiana Glass Factory, in Dunkirk, Indiana. 

LeRoy married Bettie June (Miller) Billman on June 8, 1943 just a few days before enlisting in the Army. Leroy and Bettie had one child, Judie Lee (DeForrest) born on December 13, 1943. Bettie would go on to remarry Garth Myers after Leroy’s passing. Judie Lee Myers (Casteel-DeForrest) passed away on August 15, 1995.

LeRoy enlisted into the Army and volunteered for paratrooper service, conducted basic military training at Fort Benning, Georgia and parachute training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Billman was assigned to Fox Company, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division and achieved the rank of  Technician 5th Grade.

Tec 5 Billman, Leroy and the 501st Parachute Infantry dropped into Normandy on the morning of June 6, 1944 (D-Day) as part of Operation Overlord. The 501st, despite being scattered due to intense antiaircraft fire and cloud cover, achieved their objectives of securing the Normandy beachhead exits and capturing the town of Carentan. On June 27 they were relieved and reassigned as a reserve unit until being granted furlough in England by mid July.  By September, they were called upon to drop into Holland as part of  largest paratrooper operation of the war, Operation Market Garden. The failed mission was an attempt to secure bridges across the Rhine River to create an invasion route into Northern Germany and end the war with Germany by Christmas. Despite some successes, the objective failed due to the lack of sufficient transport aircraft and the loss of surprise since parachute troops were dropped over three separate days. After 72 days of combat in the Netherlands, the 501st was sent to France for a much deserved rest.

However, On December 16, 1944 Germany launched their last counteroffensive of the war in Belgium. The 101st Airborne Division and the 501st PIR was sent to defend the town of Bastogne during what would be known as Battle of the Bulge despite being ill equipped and ill prepared. The 501st, however, refused to give up one foot of ground in their defense of Bastogne which earned them the first Presidential Unit Citation ever awarded to a full division. While serving in Belgium, Tec 5 Billman was injured in combat on January 9, 1945. While being hospitalized for his injuries in England, Leroy passed away on January 20 due to the wounds he received during the Battle of The Bulge.

Technician 5th Grade Billman was temporarily buried in England and was returned to the states at the conclusion of the war. Services were held on January 16, 1945 at the Middletown Chapel and he was interred at Lawndale Cemetery, in Randolph County, Indiana. 

For his service and sacrifice, Tec 5 Billman earned the Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and WWII Victory Medal. Billman also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Information collected and researched by Cameron Voglewede, 2018. 

SOURCES

“Fox Company’s Airborne Saga.” Warfare History Network, warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/fox- companys-airborne-saga/. Accessed 26 Feb. 2024. 

“Leroy Hose Billman.” Ancestry Education | Our Resources Will Bring Your Classroom to Life, https://www.ancestryclassroom.com/familytree/person/tree/170261299/person/192338327656/s        tory.

“Photos of Leroy Hose Billman - Find a Grave...” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66334891/leroy-hose-billman/photo.

“LeRoy Hose Billman (1925-1945) - Find a Grave...” Www.findagrave.com, www.findagrave.com/memorial/66334891/leroy-hose-billman. Accessed 26 Feb. 2024.

“Leroy H Billman: Person, Pictures and Information.” Fold3, https://www.fold3.com/memorial/638247127/leroy-h-billman/gallery.

“The 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) during WW II.” Www.ww2-Airborne.us, www.ww2-airborne.us/units/501/501.html. 

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