Broussard/Youngsville, LA (May 25, 2026) – Today, on Memorial Day, communities across the country pause to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, began after the Civil War as Decoration Day, a time when communities decorated the graves of fallen soldiers. Over time, it became a national day of remembrance for all United States service members who died in military service.
Memorial Day is also a time to reflect on the local names and families connected to that history. In Broussard and Youngsville, those names span generations and conflicts, from World War I to the war in Afghanistan.
The following names are not intended to be a complete list of every service member from Broussard and Youngsville who died in military service. Historical records, particularly from earlier wars, can be incomplete, and there are likely others from both communities whose military service also deserves recognition. The information included here is based on publicly available military and historical records.
Reuben Broussard of Youngsville was a United States Army private who was killed in action in August 1918, during World War I.
Curley John Simon of Youngsville was a United States Army specialist four who was killed in action on July 9, 1967, during the Vietnam War.
Ronald James Romero of Youngsville was a United States Marine Corps corporal who was killed in action on March 21, 1968, during the Vietnam War.
Willis J Billeaud Jr. of Broussard was a United States Army specialist four who was killed in action on July 20, 1968, during the Vietnam War.
Steven Logan Bennett, who grew up in the Broussard-Youngsville area, was a United States Air Force captain who was killed in action on June 29, 1972, during the Vietnam War.
Patrick Olivier Williamson of Broussard was a United States Army sergeant who was killed in action on October 27, 2009, during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
A memorial honoring Williamson stands in Broussard, where his death remains within recent local memory.
The names remembered on Memorial Day are part of national history, but for local communities, they are also part of family history and community memory.
