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.United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69
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.United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69
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.William C. Bilo at National Guard Bureau General Officer Management Office, accessed May 29, 2013.
Post Vietnam War After the war Bilo continued his military career as a member of the National Guard in Oklahoma, Virginia and Maryland.United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69 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.Laura Lippman, Baltimore Sun, , July 26, 1993. He subsequently served as Chief of Staff of the Maryland Army National Guard and commander of the 29th Division Support Command (DISCOM).US Field Artillery Association, Field Artillery Bulletin, 1995, page 25
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.United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69 He served until retiring in 1997. He was succeeded by Michael J. Squier.Department of Defense, Defense Link News, August 13, 1997.
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.United States House Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, Biographical sketch, William C. Bilo, 1997, page 69
His military education includes the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College.William C. Bilo at National Guard Bureau General Officer Management Office, accessed May 29, 2013.
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 with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Medal
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 Good Conduct 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
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 1
Republic of Vietnam Campaign MedalAmerican Defense International, Advisors biography, William C. Bilo, accessed May 29, 2013.
Other awards Bilo is a member of the Fort Sill Officer Candidate School Hall of FameFort Sill OCS Alumni, Hall of Fame Indictees page, accessed May 29, 2013. and a Distinguished Alumnus of Cameron University.Cameron University 1995 Distinguished Alumnus, William Bilo, accessed May 29, 2013.
Later career After retiring from the Bilo operated a consulting firm, Rainbow Enterprises and resided in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland.American Defense International, Advisors biography, William C. Bilo, accessed May 29, 2013. He has been a member of several government task forces and advisory panels, primarily those involved with veterans' benefits and veterans' memorials.Southern Maryland Online, Veterans Task Force Still Has Questions, November 7, 2008. He was also active in several professional organizations, including serving as a Vice President of the Field Artillery Association.U.S. Field Artillery Association, Field Artillery Journal, St. Barbara Celebrations Around the World, January 2005.
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.Chris Cleaver, Pennsylvania National Guard, Pennsylvania field artillery unit is right on target, April 22, 2010.
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