After a period of employment at the May Machine Company he enlisted in the Army in March of 1967. Upon completion of his basic and advanced training he arrived in Viet Nam on the 19th of August, 1967. He was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. While on a search and destroy mission his unit came under enemy fire. He advanced under heavy fire to assist a group of soldiers who were cut-off from their unit, and was hit by small arms fire in the rescue attempt.

He fell on the 6th of December, 1967. For his military service he was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Viet Nam Service and Campaign Medals, and the National Defense Medal.

He was survived by his parents; brothers, George and Charles, Jr.; and a step-brother Franklin Billich.