Billy Don't Be a Hero blue, and "riding out" (cavalry) refer to the American Civil War. However the drum beat and cavalry "riding out" is not specific to the American Civil War, and blue uniforms were common in the 19th century. That being said, Paper Lace themselves performed the song on "Top of the Pops" wearing Union-style uniforms, as can be seen on YouTube. A young woman is distraught that her fiancé chooses to enlist with Army recruiters passing through the town, causing her to implore him: The song goes on to describe how Billy is killed in action in a pitched battle after volunteering
Don T. Griswold Don T. Griswold Ensign Don T. Griswold, Jr., (8 July 1917 – 6 June 1942) was a United States Naval Aviator, who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the Battle of Midway. Born in Bryan, Texas, he attended Iowa State and after graduation joined the Naval Aviation Corps. During the Battle of Midway, 6 June 1942, his Douglas SBD-3 "Dauntless" scout-bomber scored a hit on a Japanese ship but was hit by antiaircraft fire and plunged into the sea. Griswold's radioman-gunner, Kenneth Cecil Bunch, also died. Ensign Griswold was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.