Navy Federal Credit Union

Billy Lord grew up in New Iberia, Louisiana, and enlisted in the Army, serving with the 11th Airborne Division. After he was honorably discharged, he attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating in 1963, and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister and was pastor of the Arkadelphia Baptist Church in Baily, Mississippi, until he returned to military service in 1964. Commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain, he arrived for his first of three tours of duty in Vietnam on September 20, 1965, and three weeks later earned the Silver Star. He also served with the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82d Airborne Division, He retired from military service in Germany in 1984 as a U.S. Army colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1965

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Billy R. Lord (ASN: 0-5408759), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Chaplain with Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy on 12 October 1965, during Operations Shiny Bayonet, conducted in the vicinity of Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam. Upon learning that a company had been ambushed, Chaplain Lord immediately proceeded to the ambush site. Although the unit was pinned down by concentrated small arms, automatic weapons fire, and grenades, he continuously exposed himself to the intense hostile fire to apply first aid to the wounded. Chaplain Lord gave spiritual and moral guidance and physically assisted in the evacuation of the wounded. After the wounded were safely evacuated across a river, they started receiving intense sniper fire from four positions. Noticing that the unit medic, who was wounded, was not among the other members of the unit, Chaplain Lord returned to the ambush site through intense hostile fire and evacuated the medic to safety. Chaplain Lord’s conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.