William C. Bilo | |
---|---|
Born | Washington, D.C., U.S. | November 15, 1944
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1964–1997 |
Rank | Brigadier general |
Unit | Army National Guard |
Commands held | Battery B, 4th Battalion, 41st Artillery Regiment Battery B, 77th Artillery Regiment Service Battery, 30th Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division 29th Division Support Command (DISCOM) |
Awards | Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal |
William C. Bilo (born November 15, 1944) is a retired United States Army Brigadier General who served as Deputy Director of the Army National Guard.
Early life
William C. Bilo was born in Washington, D.C., on November 15, 1944. He enlisted in the Army in 1964 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Artillery after graduation from Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill.[1]
Bilo was qualified on Pershing missiles. After serving as an instructor at the Artillery school, Bilo served in West Germany, including command of B Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment.[2]
Vietnam War
Bilo served two tours in Vietnam, first as Commander of Battery B, 77th Artillery Regiment and then as Commander of Service Battery, 30th Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division.[3]
Post Vietnam War
After the war Bilo continued his military career as a member of the National Guard in Oklahoma, Virginia and Maryland.[4] In 1984 he was one of the officers who helped organize the reactivation of the 29th Infantry Division, and he was the division's chief of staff until 1987.[5] He subsequently served as Chief of Staff of the Maryland Army National Guard and commander of the 29th Division Support Command (DISCOM).[6]
Deputy Director, Army National Guard
In 1993 Bilo was selected to serve as Deputy Director of the Army National Guard and promoted to Brigadier General.[7] He served until retiring in 1997. He was succeeded by Michael J. Squier.[8]
Education
Bilo completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Cameron University, and a Master's Degree in Business and Public Administration from Southeastern University.[9]
His military education includes the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College.[10]
Awards and decorations
Bilo's awards include:
Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)
Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters and "V" device
Meritorious Service Medal (United States) with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters and "V" device
Army Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Selective Service System Meritorious Service Medal
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver hourglass device
Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 1
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal[11]
Other awards
Bilo is a member of the Fort Sill Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame[12] and a Distinguished Alumnus of Cameron University.[13]
Later career
After retiring from the Bilo operated a consulting firm, Rainbow Enterprises and resided in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland.[14] He has been a member of several government task forces and advisory panels, primarily those involved with veterans' benefits and veterans' memorials.[15] He was also active in several professional organizations, including serving as a Vice President of the Field Artillery Association.[16]
Legacy
The Field Artillery Association presents the William C. Bilo Support Forward Award to recognize a soldier in any component of the Army who best represents the qualities of leadership, teamwork, and caring for soldiers.[17]
References
- ↑ United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69
- ↑ United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69
- ↑ William C. Bilo at National Guard Bureau General Officer Management Office, accessed May 29, 2013
- ↑ United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69
- ↑ Laura Lippman, Baltimore Sun, Guard's Bilo going to Pentagon, July 26, 1993
- ↑ US Field Artillery Association, Field Artillery Bulletin, 1995, page 25
- ↑ United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69
- ↑ Department of Defense, Defense Link News, August 13, 1997
- ↑ United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69
- ↑ William C. Bilo at National Guard Bureau General Officer Management Office, accessed May 29, 2013
- ↑ American Defense International, Advisors biography, William C. Bilo, accessed May 29, 2013
- ↑ Fort Sill OCS Alumni, Hall of Fame Indictees page, accessed May 29, 2013
- ↑ Cameron University 1995 Distinguished Alumnus, William Bilo, accessed May 29, 2013
- ↑ American Defense International, Advisors biography, William C. Bilo, accessed May 29, 2013
- ↑ Southern Maryland Online, Veterans Task Force Still Has Questions, November 7, 2008
- ↑ U.S. Field Artillery Association, Field Artillery Journal, St. Barbara Celebrations Around the World, January 2005
- ↑ Chris Cleaver, Pennsylvania National Guard, Pennsylvania field artillery unit is right on target, April 22, 2010