Some family researchers have provided Billie's name as William. However, no known documentation exists that might serve as evidence that his name actually was William. Census records, his military enlistment papers, the KIA report about his death, and his military grave marker application all indicate that his name was Billie.
Billie enlisted in the U.S. Army on 12 Jul 1944. His rank was Private and he was assigned to F Troop, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
World War II Notes
On 3 February 1945, elements of the 1st Cavalry Division pushed into the northern outskirts of Manila, with only the steep-sided Tuliahan River separating them from the city proper. A squadron of the 8th Cavalry reached the bridge just moments after Japanese soldiers had finished preparing it for demolition. As the two sides opened fire on one another, the Japanese lit the fuse leading to the carefully placed explosives. Without hesitation, Lt. James P. Sutton, a Navy demolitions expert attached to the division, dashed through the enemy fire and cut the burning fuse. At 18:35, the column crossed the city limits of Manila. Troop "F" of the 8th Cavalry, under the command of Captain Emery M. Hickman, swept through the heavy Japanese sniper fire to the White House of the Philippines in time to take control of the Malacañan Palace and save it from the torches of the Japanese. As the gates were opened, cheering Filipinos emerged and helped the cavalrymen set up a defense perimeter around the palace grounds.
Source: Wikipedia entry for 8th Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army
Billie did not die during the 03 Feb 1945 mission, but he may have been badly wounded. He died in Manila and was listed by the Army as Killed in Action (KIA) 3 months later. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown.
Billie enlisted in the U.S. Army on 12 Jul 1944. His rank was Private and he was assigned to F Troop, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
World War II Notes
On 3 February 1945, elements of the 1st Cavalry Division pushed into the northern outskirts of Manila, with only the steep-sided Tuliahan River separating them from the city proper. A squadron of the 8th Cavalry reached the bridge just moments after Japanese soldiers had finished preparing it for demolition. As the two sides opened fire on one another, the Japanese lit the fuse leading to the carefully placed explosives. Without hesitation, Lt. James P. Sutton, a Navy demolitions expert attached to the division, dashed through the enemy fire and cut the burning fuse. At 18:35, the column crossed the city limits of Manila. Troop "F" of the 8th Cavalry, under the command of Captain Emery M. Hickman, swept through the heavy Japanese sniper fire to the White House of the Philippines in time to take control of the Malacañan Palace and save it from the torches of the Japanese. As the gates were opened, cheering Filipinos emerged and helped the cavalrymen set up a defense perimeter around the palace grounds.
Source: Wikipedia entry for 8th Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army
Billie did not die during the 03 Feb 1945 mission, but he may have been badly wounded. He died in Manila and was listed by the Army as Killed in Action (KIA) 3 months later. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown.
Some family researchers have provided Billie's name as William. However, no known documentation exists that might serve as evidence that his name actually was William. Census records, his military enlistment papers, the KIA report about his death, and his military grave marker application all indicate that his name was Billie.
Billie enlisted in the U.S. Army on 12 Jul 1944. His rank was Private and he was assigned to F Troop, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
World War II Notes
On 3 February 1945, elements of the 1st Cavalry Division pushed into the northern outskirts of Manila, with only the steep-sided Tuliahan River separating them from the city proper. A squadron of the 8th Cavalry reached the bridge just moments after Japanese soldiers had finished preparing it for demolition. As the two sides opened fire on one another, the Japanese lit the fuse leading to the carefully placed explosives. Without hesitation, Lt. James P. Sutton, a Navy demolitions expert attached to the division, dashed through the enemy fire and cut the burning fuse. At 18:35, the column crossed the city limits of Manila. Troop "F" of the 8th Cavalry, under the command of Captain Emery M. Hickman, swept through the heavy Japanese sniper fire to the White House of the Philippines in time to take control of the Malacañan Palace and save it from the torches of the Japanese. As the gates were opened, cheering Filipinos emerged and helped the cavalrymen set up a defense perimeter around the palace grounds.
Source: Wikipedia entry for 8th Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army
Billie did not die during the 03 Feb 1945 mission, but he may have been badly wounded. He died in Manila and was listed by the Army as Killed in Action (KIA) 3 months later. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown.
Billie enlisted in the U.S. Army on 12 Jul 1944. His rank was Private and he was assigned to F Troop, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
World War II Notes
On 3 February 1945, elements of the 1st Cavalry Division pushed into the northern outskirts of Manila, with only the steep-sided Tuliahan River separating them from the city proper. A squadron of the 8th Cavalry reached the bridge just moments after Japanese soldiers had finished preparing it for demolition. As the two sides opened fire on one another, the Japanese lit the fuse leading to the carefully placed explosives. Without hesitation, Lt. James P. Sutton, a Navy demolitions expert attached to the division, dashed through the enemy fire and cut the burning fuse. At 18:35, the column crossed the city limits of Manila. Troop "F" of the 8th Cavalry, under the command of Captain Emery M. Hickman, swept through the heavy Japanese sniper fire to the White House of the Philippines in time to take control of the Malacañan Palace and save it from the torches of the Japanese. As the gates were opened, cheering Filipinos emerged and helped the cavalrymen set up a defense perimeter around the palace grounds.
Source: Wikipedia entry for 8th Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army
Billie did not die during the 03 Feb 1945 mission, but he may have been badly wounded. He died in Manila and was listed by the Army as Killed in Action (KIA) 3 months later. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown.
Inscription
Private, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, World War II
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