Billingslea, Charles
- Date of birth:
- May 16th, 1914 (Chicago/Illinois, United States)
- Date of death:
- March 14th, 1989 (Oxford-Talbot/Maryland, United States)
- Service number:
- O-20367
- Nationality:
- American
Biography
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Ridder vierde klasse der Militaire Willems Orde (MWO.4)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Colonel
- Unit:
- 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- October 8th, 1945
- Awarded for:
- Operation Market Garden
"For having distinguished himself by performing excellent acts of courage, conduct and loyalty during the fighting by the 82nd Airborne Division in the area of the city of NIJMEGEN between September 17th and October 4th, 1944. Thereby having displayed repetitiously outstanding devotion to duty and great perseverance and in all respects having set a praiseworthy example and having been an inspiration to all during those glorious days."
Royal Decree No. 31, dated October 8th, 1945.
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Colonel
- Unit:
- 325 Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- March 14th, 1945
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy on 2-3 October 1944, in the vicinity of Katerbosch, Holland. Through fearless and skillful leadership, Colonel (then Lieutenant Colonel) Billingslea inspired victory for his regiment in a battle for objectives two miles beyond the forward lines near Mook. Leading troops who were tired after five days of incessant attack, he pushed the enemy back in a twenty-four hour assault. He launched the attack before dawn and under cover of fog which lifted without warning in mid-morning and exposed his forces to intense artillery fire. Key officers and men became casualties, but Colonel Billingslea moved among the disorganized company, restored command and assumed the initiative in the face of determined resistance from numerous German strongpoints in Katerbosch. He personally directed the house-to-house reduction of the enemy. His presence in this critical zone inspired officers and men to emulate his conduct in a fight for the town which lasted all day and through the night. In this valiant and successful assault on Katerbosch, Colonel Billingslea defeated powerful German efforts to break through Mook and sever the Allied corridor in the Motherland."
Headquarters, XVIII Airborne Corps, General Orders No. 19 (March 14, 1945).
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy on 2-3 October 1944, in the vicinity of Katerbosch, Holland. Through fearless and skillful leadership, Colonel (then Lieutenant Colonel) Billingslea inspired victory for his regiment in a battle for objectives two miles beyond the forward lines near Mook. Leading troops who were tired after five days of incessant attack, he pushed the enemy back in a twenty-four hour assault. He launched the attack before dawn and under cover of fog which lifted without warning in mid-morning and exposed his forces to intense artillery fire. Key officers and men became casualties, but Colonel Billingslea moved among the disorganized company, restored command and assumed the initiative in the face of determined resistance from numerous German strongpoints in Katerbosch. He personally directed the house-to-house reduction of the enemy. His presence in this critical zone inspired officers and men to emulate his conduct in a fight for the town which lasted all day and through the night. In this valiant and successful assault on Katerbosch, Colonel Billingslea defeated powerful German efforts to break through Mook and sever the Allied corridor in the Motherland."
Headquarters, XVIII Airborne Corps, General Orders No. 19 (March 14, 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Colonel
- Unit:
- 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- 1945
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on February 2, 1945, in Germany. Colonel Billingslea fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy small arms, mortar, and artillery fire to direct his command's assault against Siegfried Line fortifications. When elements of his regiment were pinned to the ground by fierce crossfire, he advanced to the area and personally directed his command in thwarting the hostile thrust. During a second vicious counterattack, he proceeded to his reserve battalion, directed the committment of his reserves and repulsed the counter-attack. By his display of conspicuous courage and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Billingslea was instrumental in saving a vital position and insuring the continued success of his regiment. Entered military service from California."
Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 72 (1945).
Awarded as Oak Leaf Cluster, to be worn on the ribbon of the first DSC.
"For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on February 2, 1945, in Germany. Colonel Billingslea fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy small arms, mortar, and artillery fire to direct his command's assault against Siegfried Line fortifications. When elements of his regiment were pinned to the ground by fierce crossfire, he advanced to the area and personally directed his command in thwarting the hostile thrust. During a second vicious counterattack, he proceeded to his reserve battalion, directed the committment of his reserves and repulsed the counter-attack. By his display of conspicuous courage and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Billingslea was instrumental in saving a vital position and insuring the continued success of his regiment. Entered military service from California."
Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 72 (1945).
Awarded as Oak Leaf Cluster, to be worn on the ribbon of the first DSC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - The Dutch Medals Page
- allamerican82nd.com
- Home of Heroes
- "Brons", Nr 66, 19e Jaargang, uitgave van de Vereniging Dragers Militaire Dapperheidsonderscheidingen 2010
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