State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Joseph Giglio sponsored the legislation enacting the designation. They were joined at the Randolph American Legion by Corporal Hillard’s family and friends, town officials and members of the community to commemorate the courage and sacrifices of the decorated fallen hero.

Corporal Hillard was born in Kennedy and grew up in Randolph, graduating from Randolph Central School in 1966. He joined the Peace Corps in 1967, helping farmers in India. Shortly after returning from India and marrying his high school sweetheart, he joined the Army in March 1968. The United States was fully engaged in the Vietnam War at that time.

As a member of Company B, 26th Engineer Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division, Hillard attained the rank of corporal. He and his unit were part of Operation Iron Mountain, a division-level search and clear mission that began in February 1969 to destroy and interdict North Vietnamese and Vietcong bases, forces and supply routes in the Quang Ngai Province of South Vietnam.

On Saturday, March 15, 1969, after volunteering to go on patrol, Corporal Hillard was one of three soldiers killed by an enemy explosive device during combat operations at Quang Ngai.

During his military service, Corporal Hillard received a Purple Heart, two Bronze Star medals, one Oak Leaf Cluster, a good Conduct medal, a National Defense Service medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Corporal William James Hillard II (left) and Sergeant David Lockwood (right)
(Photo Credit – WDOE)

Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed two bills to rename bridges on Interstate 86 in honor of Randolph-area Vietnam War heroes Corporal William James Hillard II and Sergeant David Lockwood.

The Corporal William James Hillard II Memorial Bridge crosses West Main Street in Randolph. Corporal Hillard was killed in action on March 15, 1969, in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, just 15 days after his 21st birthday.

The Sergeant David Lockwood Memorial Bridge crosses Schoolhouse Road in Randolph. Following his service, Sgt. Lockwood graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology and worked as an engineer until his death in 2018.

Cpl. Hillard received a Purple Heart, two Bronze Star Medals, one Oak Leaf Cluster, a Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Sgt. Lockwood received the Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Star Medals, three Silver Star Medals and the Expert Rifle (M-14) Badge.

State Senator George Borrello sponsored the bills in the Senate with Assemblyman Joe Giglio sponsoring companion legislation in the Assembly.