Join the Republican Roundtable in welcoming
Republican Roundtable & CRPEC Celebrates
WW II Veteran and Centenarian Paul Hilliard
When: October 6th, 2025 - 11:00 PM
What: Breakfast Buffet - Cost $50
or Purchase a VIP Table for 8 $500
Where: Lake Charles Country Club
3350 Country Club Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70605
What: Breakfast Buffet - Cost $50
or Purchase a VIP Table for 8 $500
Where: Lake Charles Country Club
3350 Country Club Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70605
About Our Speaker
Paul Hilliard
WW II Veteran & Centenarian
Paul Hilliard, a WWII veteran, lives in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he is also a veteran of independent oil and gas exploration.
In 1943, 17-year-old Hilliard left rural Wisconsin and joined the USMC. He flew 45 combat missions in the Pacific Islands as a radioman/gunner in SBD "Dauntless" dive bombers and was twice awarded the DFC plus the Air Medal with six gold stars.
Following his 1946 discharge, Hilliard completed two undergraduate years at the Universities of Wisconsin and Syracuse and then graduated from the University of Texas School of Law. He never practiced, instead joining Chevron in their New Orleans operations for three years. He moved to Lafayette with H.L. Hunt but quickly determined independent exploration suited him best and founded Badger Oil. Hilliard went on to serve as President of the Louisiana Independent Oil and Gas Association and as National Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America.
His passion is aircraft, and he has generously funded the acquisition of extraordinary artifacts, including the C-47 aircraft, which dropped paratroopers into Normandy on D-Day, a B-25 "Mitchell" bomber, a P-40 "Flying Tiger," an SBD Dive Bomber, a Stuart M2A1 tank, five major pieces of artillery, and more.
In 2009, Paul received the prestigious national Horatio Alger Award which honors the achievements of outstanding Americans who have succeeded with perseverance and hard work in spite of adversity. In 2015, he received the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
In 1943, 17-year-old Hilliard left rural Wisconsin and joined the USMC. He flew 45 combat missions in the Pacific Islands as a radioman/gunner in SBD "Dauntless" dive bombers and was twice awarded the DFC plus the Air Medal with six gold stars.
Following his 1946 discharge, Hilliard completed two undergraduate years at the Universities of Wisconsin and Syracuse and then graduated from the University of Texas School of Law. He never practiced, instead joining Chevron in their New Orleans operations for three years. He moved to Lafayette with H.L. Hunt but quickly determined independent exploration suited him best and founded Badger Oil. Hilliard went on to serve as President of the Louisiana Independent Oil and Gas Association and as National Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America.
His passion is aircraft, and he has generously funded the acquisition of extraordinary artifacts, including the C-47 aircraft, which dropped paratroopers into Normandy on D-Day, a B-25 "Mitchell" bomber, a P-40 "Flying Tiger," an SBD Dive Bomber, a Stuart M2A1 tank, five major pieces of artillery, and more.
In 2009, Paul received the prestigious national Horatio Alger Award which honors the achievements of outstanding Americans who have succeeded with perseverance and hard work in spite of adversity. In 2015, he received the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
