Pennsylvania news

April 3, 2023

Post Office Dedication Ceremony for Harold W. Billow

Harold W. Billow

What:

On Tuesday April 4, 2023, the Mount Joy, PA Post Office, located at 1 E. Main Street, will be dedicated to Harold W. Billow.

Who:

Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-11)
State Representative Tom Jones (District 98)
USPS PA1 Manager Operations Integration, Nathan Luttringer

When:

10:00 am EST, Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Where:

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
37 E. Main St.
Mount Joy, PA 17552

*Entrance is though the back of the church.

Background:

Harold W. Billow was born on December 28,1922 in Millersburg, PA.  At the age of six, he moved to Mount Joy where he would live the rest of his 99-year life.

Harold was a dedicated member and Trustee of Trinity EC Church of Mount Joy, a life member of VFW Post 5752, Mount Joy, American Legion Post 185, Mount Joy, Fire Department Mount Joy, and a member of American Legion Post 466, Marietta, as well as a Member of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

During WWII, Harold was drafted into the United States Army. He trained as a “flash and sound” technician and was later attached to Battery B of the 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. In August 1944, he shipped overseas and landed on Omaha Beach.

The story of Harold’s heroism during the last-ditch German offensive at the Battle of the Bulge is legendary. The following day there was eight inches of snow on the ground and the temperature was 20 degrees. Harold was among 120 American soldiers who were captured by the SS Waffen.  Instead of transferring the soldiers to a POW camp, they were lined up and the Waffen opened fire; over 80 died but Harold fell down and laid still. As the German Command shot the survivors, he heard another soldier yell "Let’s get the Hell out of here.” Harold got up and ran and headed for a nearby house. Recognizing it was not a safe haven, he headed towards the hedge rows, and ran from hedge row to hedge row under enemy fire until he encountered safety with the US 30th Armored Division arriving in the area.

Harold Billow passed away on May 17, 2022, and was the last known survivor of the Malmedy Massacre.

# # #

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Media contacts