Charles Billingslea

Charles Billingslea
MG Charles Billingslea
Nickname(s)	"Chuck"
Born	(1914-05-16)May 16, 1914 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died	March 14, 1989(1989-03-14) (aged 74) Washington, D.C., United States
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1936–1966
Rank	Major General
Service number	0-20367
Unit	Infantry Branch
Commands	325th Glider Infantry Regiment 2nd Infantry Division
Battles / wars	World War II Operation Torch Tunisian campaign Allied invasion of Sicily Operation Avalanche Battle of Anzio Operation Market Garden Battle of the Bulge Rhineland campaign Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal Bronze Star Medal (2) Army Commendation Medal (2) Order of National Security Merit

Major General Charles Billingslea (May 16, 1914 – March 14, 1989) was a highly decorated United States Army officer. A graduate of the United States Military Academy (USMA) and a trained parachutist, Billingslea received the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), the second highest decoration in the United States Armed Forces for heroism in combat, during World War II.^[1][2]

Following the war, he remained in the army, eventually reaching general officer's rank and going on to hold several important assignments including command of the 2nd Infantry Division (Indianhead) or Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Combat Development Command. He also led the forces that enforced desegregation at the University of Mississippi, during the Ole Miss riot of 1962, and later led forces in Birmingham, Alabama, to maintain the peace during demonstrations led by Martin Luther King Jr. to end segregation.