Lieutenant Billy Hubbard

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Monday, August 16, 1943
Page 1

Gunship Wound Fatal to Lt. Billy Hubbard

Particulars Lacking In Tragedy at Camp Hyder, Ariz.-Was in Commando Training

Members of the family and friends today awaited particulars regarding the death of First Lieutenant Billy Elbert Hubbard, age twenty-two, who died of a accidental gunshot wound at Camp Hyder, Arizona, Sunday. Message of his death was received late Sunday afternoon by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Hubbard, 309 East Fourth street.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery here.

The message regarding Liert. Hubbard's death, which shocked the entire community, contained no particulars. Signed by Col. Stephen S. Hamilton, U.S. Infantry, and sent from Camp Young, Calif. it said simply that Lieut. Hubbard had died from an accidental gunshot wound August 15.

The young Army officer's parents said he had been on maneuvers recently and had written to them that he was going to begin commando training during the weekend. They cite the possibility that Lieut. Hubbard may have been struck by one of the live bullets used in barrages during some of the commando training practices.

Lieut. Hubbard, who had an excellent military record dating back to his R.O.T.C. training at Indiana University, from which he was graduated with a commission of second lieutenant on May 10, 1942, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in April of this year and was looking forward to a captaincy in the next few months. His record in R.O.T.C. training at the university was outstanding and he was selected and became a member of Scabbard and Blade, honorary military fraternity on the campus. After his commissioning, he was assigned to Fort Benning, Ga., where he served for several months prior to being sent to the western part of the United States. He was in Headquarters Co., 2nd Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division.

Lieut. Hubbard was born in Seymour on November 5, 1920, the son of Harry H. and Verna Prather Hubbard. He spent his entire life here and was graduated in 1938 from Shields High School where he was an athlete and a popular and prominent student. He played both basketball and football for fouryears and was a member of both Hi-Y Club and Safety Patrol for four years. He was a member of the cast of high school class plays during both his junior and senior years and was a member of the staff of "The Patriot", high school yearbook during his graduating year. He was a carrier for The Daily Tribune for abut three years establishing an excellent record, and during his junior and Senior years in high school, he was high school reporter for The Tribune.

Lieut. Hubbard was a faithful and active member of the First Methodist Church, being regular in his attendance at worship services and in Sunday School while in the city. He had been active in young people's work of the church and had attended Methodist youth camps at Rivervale.

As he was one of the best known and best liked among younger residents of the city, Lieut. Hubbard's death in training for war brings with stark realism the grimness of the conflict and its tragic results nearer to the entire community.

Besides the parents, he is survived by a sister, Miss Elizabeth Hubbard, at home.