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.
Early life Billado was born in Rutland, Vermont, on March 3, 1907.Vermont, Vital Records, 1720-1908, birth record for Francis Wm. Billado, retrieved December 16, 2013 He graduated from Norwich University in 1933, and was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity.Theta Chi fraternity, The Rattle of Theta Chi, Volume 19, 1930, p. 30 He then studied law, attained admission to the bar, and became an attorney in Rutland.H. A. Manning, Manning's Rutland Directory, 1938, p. 32
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.National Guard Association of the United States, Official Proceedings, Annual Meeting, Volumes 87-92, 1967, p. 194
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.Vermont of Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory, 1950, p. 670Theta Chi Fraternity, The Rattle of Theta Chi, Volume 55, Issue 2, 1967, p. 30
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.H. A. Manning Company, Manning's Rutland Directory, 1952, p. 139
Billado also continued to serve in the National Guard, becoming Lieutenant Colonel and second in command of the 172nd Infantry Regiment in 1946.Vermont Adjutant General, Annual report, 1950, p. 6
Billado's military education included completion of the United States Army Command and General Staff College.Theta Chi Fraternity, The Rattle of Theta Chi, Volume 55, Issue 2, 1967, p. 30
Adjutant General In 1955 the Vermont General Assembly elected Billado adjutant general.Associated Press, Bennington Banner, Francis Billado Named Adjutant General of State, February 18, 1955 (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.Associated Press, Bennington Banner, Maj. Gen. Billado Demands Ouster Of Secretary Wilson, January 30, 1957
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.Associated Press, Portsmouth Herald, General Dies, September 14, 1966Vermont Adjutant General, Annual Report, 1966, p. 3Vermont Death Records, 1909–2008, entry for Francis W. Billado, retrieved December 16, 2013U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935–2013, entry for Francis W. Billado, retrieved December 16, 2013 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.Vermont Adjutant General, Annual Report, 1966, p. 3Theta Chi Fraternity, The Rattle of Theta Chi, Volume 55, Issue 2, 1967, p. 30
Additional honors The National Guard armory in Williston, Vermont, was named for him.Associated Press, Bennington Banner, Gen. Billado is Honored; Williston Armory is Dedicated, February 3, 1959
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.Lake Champlain Yacht Club, Weekend Series – Spinnaker Overall Winner / Billado Trophy, 2012 The yacht club later reorganized its competitions, and four annual races were grouped together as the Billado Series.
Family In 1938 Billado married Ruth Bourquin (1908–2005).Vermont, Marriage Records, 1909–2008, entry for Francis William Billado, retrieved December 16, 2013 They had three children: Francis William, Barrie Lynne (Cohen), and Virginia Helen (Farrell).Marquis Who's Who, Who Was Who in American History: The Military, 1975, p. 47Federation Genealogie, Obituary, Ruth Bourquin Billado , originally published in Burlington Free Press, October 16, 2005
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