Briefing Document: Raymond Watson Dillard

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Summary of Life and Military Service of Raymond Watson Dillard

Sources: Excerpts from provided text on Raymond Watson Dillard.

Overview: This document outlines the life and military service of Raymond Watson Dillard, based on the provided biographical text. The text covers his birth, family, upbringing, military service, and ultimately, his death in World War II.

Key Themes and Facts:

Early Life and Family:

Raymond Watson Dillard was born on April 28, 1919, in De Leon, Comanche County, Texas.

His parents were Maggie Florence Holmes (born 1896, died 1944) and Avery Lee Dillard (born 1891, died 1958).

He grew up in rural Texas, living in Comanche and Coleman Counties. The 1920 census shows him at age 9 months in Comanche County, and the 1930 Census at age 10 in Coleman County.

He had at least one brother and one sister, as noted in the 1920 Census.

He attended Pioneer High School.

Pre-War Life:

Dillard registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, in Pioneer, Eastland County, Texas. He was living in Pioneer and working in Rising Star, both in Eastland County, for the government.

He listed his father, Avery Lee Dillard, as his next of kin.

He married Miss Mary Marshall of Pioneer.

He was employed as a truck driver and had a grammar school education.

Military Service:

He enlisted in the US Army as a private on June 10, 1943, in Abilene, Texas. His service number was 38514500.

He was identified as a married white male, born in Texas in 1919.

He was assigned to A Company, 158th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division.

His rank was later Sergeant (Sgt.).

The 40th Infantry Division participated in the following major operations:

New Britain: The division was relieved of missions there on November 27, 1944.

Luzon Landing: They participated in an assault landing at Lingayen, Luzon, under command of XIV Corps, on January 9, 1945. They seized the Lingayen airfield and occupied the Bolinao Peninsula and San Miguel, before advancing toward Manila.

Death and Repatriation:

Sergeant Dillard was killed in action on January 17, 1945, on Luzon Island, Philippine Islands.

He was initially buried in a temporary grave.

His remains were repatriated to America in 1949.

He was reinterred in the De Leon Cemetery in De Leon, Comanche County, Texas on February 23, 1949.

Key Quotes:

"Raymond W. Dillard asn-38514500 a married white male born Texas in 1919 residing in Eastland County, Texas working as a truck driver with a grammar school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Abilene, Texas on 10 June 1943."

"Sgt Dillard was killed in action on 17 January 1945 on Luzon Island, Philippine Islands."

"He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the De Leon Cemetery at De Leon, Comanche County, Texas on 23 February 1949."

Conclusion: Raymond Watson Dillard's life represents a common story of many young American men who served in World War II. From a rural upbringing in Texas, he transitioned to military service, fought in the Pacific Theater, and ultimately gave his life in the service of his country. His story is one of both personal sacrifice and the broader historical events of the war.