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Army Sgt. Robert J. Billings, a
Clarksville, Va., native, died Oct. 13, in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan,
of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned
to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat
Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. (Courtesy
photo taken Jan. 28, 2012)
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (11/9/2012) - Hundreds packed
into Joint Base Lewis-McChord's North Fort Chapel, Nov. 7, to honor
the life of Sgt. Robert J. Billings, a Clarksville, Va., native who
died Oct. 13, in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an
improvised explosive device.
The majority of those in
attendance were still clad in their Afghanistan-theater specific
multi-camouflage uniforms, as Billings' unit — the 5th Battalion,
20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division — have
just recently begun redeploying to JBLM after a 12-month deployment.
“Fierce warrior, competent leader, faithful husband, loving
father and loyal friend — some would label this a perfect balance,
others the ideal soldier,” said Capt. Thomas Gossweiler, who spoke
on behalf of Lt. Col. Steven Soika, 5-20 Inf. commander. “Let's cut
to the chase, it's the personification of Sergeant Robert Billings,
a member of our team who we honor today, who constantly exemplified
these traits; a quiet professional that gave 100 percent to his
loving family, our profession and America.”
Billings, who was
previously assigned to and had deployed to Iraq with 4th Bn., 9 Inf.
Reg., 4th Bde., 2nd Inf. Div., was informed that noncommissioned
officers were needed to fill the ranks for the Arrowhead brigade's
upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Billings didn't hesitate to
volunteer. With the support of his wife, he was transferred to 1st
Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, also in 3rd Brigade. He,
ultimately, ended up serving as a team leader in Bronco Troop, 5th
Bn., 20th Inf. Reg.
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“He was looked upon by the younger soldiers as a role
model in central Zahray,” Soika wrote. “Sergeant Billings
coached, taught and mentored young soldiers their tradecraft
around villages called Kolk, Painkilla and Mulliyan. Even in
the end, he was leading by example, negotiating the Stryker
along that stretch of road near the Pasha Pass on that
patrol, based on his experience in the area and [his]
mastery of the vehicle.”
Soika wrote of the life
Billings had planned to live following his return from
deployment — a life outside the Army, where he would be able
to focus on his wife, Christy, and their four young
children, between the ages of three and 10. This life also
included a business plan with Billings' best friend and
squad leader, Staff Sgt. Daniel Garcia. The two were
planning to open their own brewery after realizing a passion
for home brewery a few years back, according to Garcia.
Garcia and Billings meet in Georgia five years ago on a
staff duty shift. The two, as Garcia recalled to the crowd,
hit it off instantly. At the time, Garcia and his wife were
expecting their first child. Billings and Christy, who
already had three kids of their own, were there to help the
new parents. Garcia and Billings reenlisted to come to JBLM
together, and Garcia joined Billings on his assignment to
4th Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. Both deployed to Iraq from 2009 to
2010, and Garcia joined his best friend on his Afghanistan
tour.
“We would always joke around, saying that if
it's your time to go, it's your time to go no matter what.
But you weren't supposed to take that to heart, brother,”
Garcia recalled, his voice cracking and quivering. He
apologized for having to clear his throat.
Often
times throughout his speech Garcia spoke directly to
Billings, and through Garcia's words the crowd was shown a
side of Billings they may not have known. Garcia told of a
son who deeply loved his mother and idolized his father, a
20-year Navy veteran, a husband and father who, first,
thought of his family before himself, and a carefree person
who loved life.
“Let's not forgot what Bobby would be
saying right now if we could hear him: Get over it,” said
Garcia, as attendees nodded and laughed in agreement.
Rather than getting over it, Garcia promised to always
remember the man, the brother, he saw as his “own flesh and
blood.”
“I... would not hesitate for a second to lay
down my life down just to be able to bring you back. I feel
so lost without you,” he said, gazing upward. “The world
isn't the same without you.”
In memoriam
Sgt.
Robert J. Billings was born April 22, 1982, in Oxnard,
Calif. Billings moved to Morley, Mich., as a child and
graduated from Morley Stanwood High School, in Deerfield
Township, Mich., in 2001. He later moved to Virginia, where
he met his wife, and joined the Army as an 11B
(Infantryman).
He attended Basic Training and
Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Ga., and was
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Divison, at Fort Carson,
Colo. He transferred to Georgia, where he worked at the
Ranger Training Brigade. In 2009, he was assigned to Joint
Base Lewis-McChord's 4th Bde., 2nd. Inf. Div., and deployed
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2009 to
August 2010. In October 2011, he was assigned to 3rd Bde.,
2nd Inf. Div., and deployed as a team leader in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom 2011 to 2012.
Growing up
the son of a career Sailor, Billings' grandmother, Elaine
Billings, said “wanting to serve started young” for her
grandson. “He liked the paintball game. However, not many of
the neighborhood children appreciated it.”
“It was no
surprise he volunteered to serve our nation during a time of
war. He did nothing more than continue the legacy of
selfless service that was begun by his grandfathers and
continued with his father,” said Soika.
Garcia
recalled conversations with Billings' about growing up with
a father who was constantly away because of military
obligations; Billings was not happy about his father's
absence and, Garcia said, he was often resentful of it as a
child.
However, it wasn't until Billings had a family
of his own that he realized “what it takes to be a great
father and the sacrifices [he] made for them,” said Garcia.
At his memorial, Garcia told Billings' dad that “in so many
ways, he looked up to you and just wanted to make you
proud.”
Billings' military awards and decorations
include the Bronze Star Medal,
Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army
Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze
Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Campaign
Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon,
NATO Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
He is
survived by his wife, Christy, sons, Isaiah and Elijah,
daughters, Kaili and Naomi; and parents, Kelly and Hope
Billings.
By Army Staff Sgt. Lindsey Kibler
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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