Frederick Chamberlayne Billard
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard
Commandant (1924-1932)

Frederick Chamberlayne Billard was born on 22 September 1873 in Washington, DC. He was a graduate of Baltimore City College.

Billard entered into service with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service in 1894. In 1896 he was commissioned Third Lieutenant and would see service on board the Cutter Corwin during the Spanish-American War.

In 1906 he was appointed aide to Captain Worth Ross, Commandant of the Revenue Cutter Service, serving until 1911. Promoted to Captain in 1912, he was appointed Superintendent of the Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction serving from 1914 until 1918. During this time period, the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life-Saving Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard.

Following the entry of the U.S. into World War I, he was given command of the USS Aphrodite in 1918 and received the Navy Cross for his service during the War. In 1919 he was appointed aide to Coast Guard Commandant Admiral William Reynolds and, in 1921, was reassigned as Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy.

In 1924 Rear Admiral Billard was appointed the third Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, a post he held until his death.

Death and Burial

Frederick Chamberlayne Billard died on 17 May 1932 in Washington, DC, from complications caused by illness. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.