SFC Billy Hill, 22, KIA/MIA Vietnam, US Army, Austin, TX, 15 DEC 15

[markwells]

[markwells]

Updated 14 December, 11:30 am

Confirmed mission: The family of Sergeant First Class Billy D Hill has requested the participation of the Patriot Guard Riders during his repatriation back to Texas.

Sgt 1st Class Billy David Hill, MIA from the Vietnam War, has now been accounted for. On January 21st, 1968, Staff Sergeant Billy David Hill was assigned as door gunner on a UH-1D helicopter with five other occupants when it was struck by enemy fire and crashed. Two crew members survived the crash, one of whom witnessed Staff Sgt Hill killed by enemy fire prior to the impact. The remains of two other crew members killed in the incident were recovered soon after, while Staff Sgt Hill and one other crew member remained unrecovered. While in MIA status, Staff Sgt Hill was promoted to Sergeant First Class. His remains were unilaterally turned over by government officials from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam who had reportedly confiscated them from Vietnamese citizens who had found the remains in the vicinity of Khe Sahn. The DPAA Lab identified the remains as Staff Sgt Hill on September 4th, 2015. More information may be found here: http://www.texasveteransblog.com/vietnam-kia-to-be-buried-at-central-texas-state-veterans-cemetery/

This will be an airport recovery and LEO escorted procession to Scott Funeral Home in Gatesville, TX.

Date/Time: Tuesday, 15 December 2015. Flight arrival at Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport (ABIA) scheduled for 11:11 am.

Staging Location: US Postal air cargo facility at ABIA.

Directions: From TX 71, take the ABIA CARGO exit and turn south onto Spirit of Texas Dr. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Freight Lane. Stay left at the fork and continue to USPS facility parking lot, which is on the right at the end.
Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/eBRTZWNTRuz

Timeline:
9:30 am – 10:15 am Staging
10:15 am Briefing
Recovery ceremony and departure to Gatesville per ABIA Airside Ops direction.

Wx: Low 50, Hi 72 deg, partly cloudy AM, 60% chance of showers in the afternoon.

Notes: Start hydrating the day before and bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Dress for the weather. Arrive at the staging fully fueled and fed.
1) SFC Hill is being flown to Austin via an American Airlines commercial flight, so be prepared for possible itinerary revisions.
2) Depending on airside operations requirements at the time, we might participate in the recovery ceremony plane-side. No four-wheeled vehicles will be allowed into the ramp area.
3) We will then join an LEO escorted procession to Gatesville. This is a 110 mi procession one-way and will likely utilize the toll road heading north, with no stops. Each vehicle is responsible for toll chgs. Any bike-mounted flags MUST be able to withstand highway speeds.

Ride Captain:Mark Wells, 512-470-0380, mwells2@austin.rr.com
Asst Ride Captain: Terry Ayers, (512) 925-6101, mototerry@sbcglobal.net

Flag Wrangler: N/A

Check the website for further detail and itinerary changes. Please try to attend this mission to honor SFC Hill's ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

[mototerry]

The response by the PGR to escort SFC Billy Hill to Gatesville was outstanding. Twenty-nine riders stood at attention on the tarmac in front of their bikes as did an equal number of Austin Police Department Motors. Twenty-six bikes and one cage rode in procession. With that many bikes and LEO motors the good citizens recognized in plenty of time what was approaching and pulled over in respect. Two citizens at different overpass locations displayed a large American Flag and the other a Large POW/MIA Flag. The most important note is the appreciation expressed by the family members. Long ago accepting their loved one's fate yet not having him home was something they lived with everyday. His cousin, Beverly Jacobs who's family raised him told me he was more like a brother growing up and although the day was a solemn occasion it was also the happiest day of her life in over 47 years. The Mission continues tomorrow. Ride Safe!

[markwells]

I'm Bob Binkley's daughter and I would like to attend this mission. Is there anyone that wouldn't mind taking a passenger? I know it's short notice, but I would appreciate it greatly. Please email me at michele.binkley1@gmail.com.

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