Captain William (Billie) E. Hingston Jr.

 

 

He may be gone but he is not forgotten – On this day January 24, 1967, Army Captain William (Billie) E. Hingston Jr. , pilot of a UH-1C Huey Helicopter, was killed in action while serving his country in Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam, about 83 miles west of Pleiku. He was born on November 26, 1940 and lived 26 Years and 2 Months. Captain Hingston was a former hockey star at Archbishop Williams High School as well as United States Military Academy West Point. He joined the Armed Forces while living in East Braintree, Massachusetts. He graduated from Archbishop Williams in 1958, attended Boston College for one year before transferring to the United States Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1963. He served in the United States Army as an aviator (helicopter pilot) and in three years of service he attained the rank of Captain. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Nancy Hingston of Columbus, Ga, his son William E. the 3rd and his daughter, Kimberly. Also, his Parents William and Doris (Hamilton) Hingston,  sisters Marilyn, Florence, Judy and Holly, and brothers Tom (Pat) and Jeffery Hingston. 

 

I did not have the privilege of knowing Captain Hingston but from what I have learned from others who knew him, he was fine young man and a one heck of a hockey player. He was a very confident and accomplished skater whose sense of humor while playing the puck was well known. A star player for West Point, his teammates would reminisce about his fun-loving routines while on the ice and his ability to score the puck. Bill’s friends would call him “Wild Bill” because of his on-ice antics. (He was often seen on the frozen ponds in East Braintree and was admired by many who grew up with him. He would also be seen driving a 1955 Cadillac Convertible, cruising around Braintree with his school friends.)

He joined the United States Army and became a Lieutenant on December 5, 1964. After graduation, Bill and Nancy were married and relocated to Fort Sill, Ok at which time he trained to be an officer. From here he went to Fort Benning, Ga. and attended jump school to earn his parachute wings. He would then transfer to Fort Campbell, Ky where he and his family remained for 2 ½ years. Then onto Fort Rucker, Al where he attended the Air Assault School and learned to become a helicopter pilot. He would then move his family back to Fort Benning, Ga and it was here in Columbus that he would eventually leave his immediate family to serve his country in Vietnam.

He arrived in RPN on August 3, 1966 and would join the 2nd Battalion, 20th, an Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARA) battalion consisting of UH-1B helicopters which fired 2.75 inch rockets. As a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, he was primarily engaged in the transporting, rescuing and evacuating of his fellow servicemen. He was in the country for 174 days flying numerous combat missions. On September 18, 1966, just over a month of being in country, Captain Hingston was a section leader in a mission, that later (Posthumously), he would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in the elimination of an enemy weapons facility. The citation below elaborates his bravery on that day.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Field Artillery) William Edward Hingston, Jr. (ASN: 0-98760), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Captain Hingston distinguished himself by heroism in action on 18 September 1966, while serving as section leader of a flight of two aerial rocket artillery helicopters, during a combat extraction mission in the Republic of Vietnam. When one of the troop lift helicopters Captain Hingston's flight was covering reported receiving enemy automatic weapons fire from one side of the landing zone, Captain Hingston, aware that three helicopters had been shot down in that location, voluntarily flew a low reconnaissance over the suspected area. As he began his low pass, his aircraft was taken under intense fire from several enemy positions, wounding the pilot and destroying the aircraft radio system. Captain Hingston took control of the helicopter and immediately engaged one of the hostile weapons positions, destroying it. He continued to display extraordinary flying ability and determination by repeatedly engaging targets until his rocket system malfunctioned. As a direct result of Captain Hingston's courageous action, an enemy weapons position was destroyed, enemy activity in the area was discouraged, and a damaged aircraft was returned safely to base. Captain Hingston's courage and determination under fire stand in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army

Later, on January 24, 1967 during a medivac rescue mission and while he was making repeated passes to strike the enemy that were attacking ground troops, his helicopter was hit by hostile fire and he was killed. Perishing with him were SP4 Robert Harold Smith (Crew Chief - Smitty) and PFC Jimmie Andrew Herrera (Door Gunner-Jonesy).

He was 26 years old and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, section 37, grave 167. He is memorialized on the Wall Panel 14E Line 074.  Please see the West Point Tribute to the Class of 1963 shown in another post on this blog.

“America without her Soldiers would be like God without His angels." -- Claudia Pemberton

     

Further note – Captain Hingston and other Braintree residents who have died in Vietnam, and those who later died from wounds or Agent Orange related illnesses, or served in Vietnam and have passed, are honored and remembered at the Braintree Vietnam Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament. This event has been held annually for the past 32 years. The contributions collected are then given in the form of scholarships to high school students in their memory. Contributions and sponsorships  can be sent at any time to the Vietnam Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Peter Schiavone, 1752 Washington Street, Braintree, Ma. 02184. The next tournament will be held on August 26, 2024 at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course..  Following the tournament, all are invited to the Braintree Sons of Italy, King Hill Road in Braintree, Ma. for a luncheon.