Clifton Elmer Billado was born on January 10, 1914. He resided in Washington County, Vermont prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on February 18, 1942 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being Married. Clifton served as a Staff Sergeant and Navigator on B-17G #42-32011, 562nd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

B-17G #42-32011 left on a bombing mission from Station 136, Knettishall, England to La Glacerie, France. They were hit by German anti-aircraft fire over the target and are believed to have crashed approx. 3 miles off the french coast during the war. 8 parachutes were seen to leave the B-17. Clifton was noted as being one of the 8 who parachuted out but was declared "Missing In Action". His name is commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing, Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France. He also has a cenotaph located in Green Mount Cemetery, Montpelier, Washington County, Vermont, USA. Clifton was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945. Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov