World War II Honoree

Rector M. 'Rex' Billingsley

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pateros, Washington

Honored By

Jerry Billingsley & LTC Charles T. Borg, USA-Ret.

Relationship

Son & Family Friend

JOINED ARMY, MARCH 1942. SERVED 3 1/2 YEARS IN EUROPEAN THEATER. ASSIGNED TO 830TH ENGINEER AVIATION BATTALION. SERVED AS A MEDICAL TECHNICIAN IN HEADQUARTERS COMPANY. IN SEPTEMBER 1942 ARRIVED AT NORTH HAMPSTEAD, ENGLAND TO BEGIN PREPARING FOR ALLIED INVASION OF EUROPE. THE MISSION WAS TO PREPARE AIRFIELDS CLOSE TO THE FRONT LINES SO THAT QUICK AIR SUPPORT AND MEDICAL EVACUATION COULD BE PROVIDED. LANDED ON NORMANDY BEACHES ON JULY 7, 1944 AND SUPPORTED HEAVY FIGHTING ACROSS NORTHERN FRANCE INTO PARIS AND EASTWARD INTO METZ, FRANCE TO SUPPORT THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, DECEMBER TO JANUARY, 1944-1945. RHINE RIVER INTO GERMANY IN EARLY 1945. IN JUNE 1945 RECEIVED BATTLEFIELD COMMISSION TO LIEUTENANT TO BECOME 830TH MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER. SERVED IN NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS, RECEIVING 4 BATTLE STARS TO THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL. RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY, NOVEMBER 1945. ALSO RECEIVED GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, 5 OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS AND MEDICAL TECHNICIAN BADGE.