Colonel Billy J. Wright was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 6 March 1956, class number 12. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, 702nd Armd Infantry Battalion, 1st Armd Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana.
His subsequent duty assignments include: Co Exec Off, 702nd Armd Inf Bn, 1st Armd Div, Fort Polk, LA; Company Commander, Co Exec Off, 48th Inf, 6th Inf, 1st Armd Div,
Fort Polk, LA; Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Commander, Co B, 1st Bn, 54th Inf, 4th Armd Div, USAREUR; USAR Advisor, East Texas Sector, VIII U.S. Army Corps, Austin, Texas; S3, 1st Bn, 73rd Armor, Korea; Asst G-2, 1-1st Abn Div, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Asst G-3, II Field Force, Vietnam; Asst G3, Headquarters, Central Army Group (NATO), Germany; Commander, 4th Bn, 35th Armor, 1st Armd Div, Germany; Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, DA, Washington, D.C.; G3, Chief of Staff, 1st Cavalry Div,
Fort Hood, Texas; Commander, 1st (Tiger)  Brigade, 2d Armd Div, Fort Hood, Texas.
His awards and decorations include: ARCOM W/3 Oak Leaf Cluster, MSM, Bronze Star Medal.