Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame - CPT Louis Phillip Billard

Captain Louis Phil Billard was born on 27 April 1891 in Topeka, Kansas. His entire childhood was spent in the Capital City. As he grew, he earned a reputation as a Daredevil and lover of speed from his wild automobile driving around Topeka. His father, J.B. Billard, a native of France, moving to Topeka in 1894, was elected mayor of Topeka and served in that capacity from 1910 to 1913.

Another Topekan, Albin K. Longren, started building aeroplanes in Topeka about the time Billard turned 21. The two became friends and Billard, in search of a new adventure, bought his first airplane from Longren and made his first flight on 7 April 1912. His flight instruction consisted of "Ground Instructions" and observing Longren's flying. His first flight lasted 20 minutes at an average height of 125 feet above ground. Longren believed him to be a natural pilot. He becamd a "Barnstormer" of sorts, taking people aeropland rides for pay. There was never a shortage of people willing to ride with him, even though he had crashed a few airplanes around the state while flying at County Fairs. The novelty of flight was a new adventure for many.





			CPT Louis Phillip Billard
	Captain Louis Phil Billard was born on 27 April 1891 in Topeka, Kansas. His entire childhood was spent in the Capital City. As he grew, he earned a reputation as a Daredevil and lover of speed from his wild automobile driving around Topeka. His father, J.B. Billard, a native of France, moving to Topeka in 1894, was elected mayor of Topeka and served in that capacity from 1910 to 1913. Another Topekan, Albin K. Longren, started building aeroplanes in Topeka about the time Billard turned 21. The two became friends and Billard, in search of a new adventure, bought his first airplane from Longren and made his first flight on 7 April 1912. His flight instruction consisted of "Ground Instructions" and observing Longren's flying. His first flight lasted 20 minutes at an average height of 125 feet above ground. Longren believed him to be a natural pilot. He becamd a "Barnstormer" of sorts, taking people aeropland rides for pay. There was never a shortage of people willing to ride with him, even though he had crashed a few airplanes around the state while flying at County Fairs. The novelty of flight was a new adventure for many. Because of the popularity of both Billard and facination with flying and the future it might have for the military, Brigadier General Charles I. Martin, The Adjutant General, commissioned young Billard in the Kansas National Guard on 19 February 1916 with the mission of forming the first aviation unit, Company B, Signal Aero Corps. The unit began with Billard as Commander, six Lieutenants and 23 Enlisted Men. Equipment included one motorcycle and four aeroplanes, the first of which was Billard's personal aircraft. This made Kansas one of the very first states to have an aviation unit and made Captain Billard the "Father of Kansas Army and Air National Guard Aviation". On 18 October 1916 Billard made history by flying non-stop from Russell, Kansas to Topeka in 2 hours, 18 minutes. In December of that year he qualified as an officailly licenced pilot with certificate No. 80 from the Federal Aeronitique Internationale of America as an Expert Aviator. Becoming impatient with the military's adoption of the airplane as a weapon, he enlisted in the Army on 27 August 1917 hoping to see combat action in the World War. Instead of combat aviation, he was assigned as a test pilot, which was a dissapointment for the aviator, but with his love of flying, he made the best of it. On 15 June 1918, he flew an aircraft to the small village in France by the name of St Leon. It had been the home of the Billard family before they moved to America. His Grandfather, Gilbert Billard had served as the village Mayor in 1848. When they found out he was the Grandson, he was treated like royalty. On 24 July 1918, Billard and his mechanic were testing a DeHaviland 4 over France when the engine stopped. Unable to restart the engine soon enough, the airplane crashed into the French countryside and Billard was killed. The cause of the accident was never known. Topeka mourned his death. Captain Billard was memorialized in several ways; he was cremated and his ashes were scattered over a garden plot in France that was once owned and tended by his Mother. A statue was commemorated in his honor and stands at the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Topeka on Forbes Field, which ironically, was the site of many of Billard's flights on a grass field Southeast of Pauline. Topeka's first airport is named after him. His second aircraft, built by Longren, is on display at the Kansas Museum of History. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame, 2 November 2003.