THE WALL OF FACES

Thanks to the Billeaud family for providing a copy of a Willis Billeaud military picture. Also, thanks to Adam Mouton who did the legwork to make this possible. SP4 Billeaud, we thank you for your service.

DEAR SPEC 4 BILLEAUD,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INFANTRYMAN. WE ARE IN A BLIZZARD. WE ARE HOME AND HAVE THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THOSE OF YOU WHO PUT IT ALL ON THE LINE FOR US. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. MANY OF US HAVE BEGUN OUR JOURNEY TO EASTER. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS

Thank you Spec. 4 Billeaud for your leadership and courage.

Dear SP4 Willis J Billeaud Jr, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Willis Billeaud lives on in the hearts of those of us who knew and loved him! This tall, fun-loving guy from "Cajun Country" had a smile that lit up the room. He would have become my brother-in-law but was killed just four months before his tour was up and the scheduled wedding.

My sister would let me read the non-personal parts of his letters from Viet Nam. He was "always" upbeat, never complaining about the situation he was in. He truly felt that he was fighting for a "just" cause. He protected my sister from the gory details of combat and death, which surrounded him. Only our dad, a WWII Vet, really knew what Willis was facing. Dad privately lived in fear of that dreaded phone call which would break his daughter's heart.

Our family's happy life was shattered on July 20, 1968, when Willis was killed at age 23 in Quang Tin Province.

Willis was a true hero in the "highest" sense of the word! He posthumously received the Bronze Star for Valor for throwing himself on a grenade tossed into his foxhole, and saving the life of a fellow soldier.

We'll always love you, Willis, and we'll "never" forget!



"THE HERO" - dedicated to Willis Billeaud

"Please, don't be a hero!" she cried. / Then, he turned for one last look, / burning her image into his heart, / as a picture into a book.

Her desperate eyes were glued to his, / perchance to meet no more. / Then her soldier boarded that flight, / to destiny, fate and war.

"Please! Don't be a hero!" she wrote. / Her perfumed letter, he held in hand, / sent his thoughts across the ocean, / back "home", to a peaceful land.

"Promise you won't be a hero!" / Her words rang loudly that day, / over the deafening mortars and shells! / In a foxhole, he started to pray,

"Dear God, I know I'm no hero! / I want so much to survive! / But, honor-bound, I'll do my duty, / for a coward is dead, though alive!"

"He was a hero!" the letter said, / "and for valor, he won the Bronze Star." / He gave his life to save another. / One of God's favorite heroes, by far!

"You'll always be my hero!" she cried. / Tear-filled eyes read his name on The Wall, / engraved with names of fellow comrades. / Fallen Heroes, who answered the call.

by Denise (Bernard) Madison