Robert J. Billings
Sergeant, United States Army
April 22, 1982 – October 13, 2012
Age – 30
Deerfield Township, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom
5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
Died of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device in Spin Bolda, Afghanistan
Robert enlisted in the Army in January 2006, continuing a family history in the armed services. His father was a Korean War veteran having served in the navy. Robert’s father-in-law is retired from the military.
When he was young, he spent time with his father would work around the house. When Bobby was 3 years old, and his dad was overseas he came into the house and his hands were all greasy. He said, ‘I’ve been working like Daddy.’ He took a bike apart and they tossed the nuts and bolts, so they packed up and took the pieces of this bike with them wherever they moved to.
When Robert was a boy he was known as a daredevil. Constantly doing things, getting hurt and going on. It wasn’t surprising that when he enlisted, that he went to the infantry.
Robert grew up in Ventura County, California. and in Newaygo, Mich., where he graduated from Morley Stanwood High School north of Grand Rapids. He ran track, loved football and was a safety for the Mohawks. He was a 2001 graduate of Morley Stanwood High School.
After he enlisted, SGT Billings reported to Fort Benning, for Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training MOS 11B (Infantryman). He arrived at JBLM in 2009 and was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. He deployed with 4th Stryker Brigade to Iraq. Sgt. Billings was assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in January 2011. Sgt. Billings’ military education includes High School Diploma, Associates in Arts, Field Sanitation Team Certification, Unit Prevention Leader, Combat Life Savers Course, Force XXI Battle Command Brigade, Military Occupational Specialty: 11B- Infantryman. His awards include Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Certificate of Achievement, Combat Infantry Badge.
He was remembered by fellow soldiers with the following words.
Rob, I don’t know what to say man, except I miss you so much. I am so sorry I didn’t get back to you on Facebook, I really wish I would have. I still look at our pictures when we were in Iraq, I never thought I’d have to say these words, Rest in Peace and thank you for the sacrifice you’ve made. My family and I are so very proud of you and Adriana always tells me how she misses you. I wish I would have been there by your side that day, I should have been there. I’m so sorry Rob. I love you brother.
“Keep up the Fire.”
Joseph Duran
God Bless You SGT. Billings. It has been a year since you were taken and so many hearts were broken. You paid a debt you did not owe and I owe a debt I can not pay. God Bless You Brother.
Ed S.