World War II Honoree

James W. Boyd

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON APRIL 22, 1942 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 502ND PARACHUTE REGIMENT, 101ST ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ AIRBORNE DIVISION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH HIS UNIT ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. IN POOR HEALTH, RETURNED TO THE STATES IN OCTOBER 1944, AND HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WITH A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY ON NOVEMBER 10, 1944 AT WINTER GENERAL HOSPITAL, TOPEKA, KANSAS. EARNED, AT LEAST, THE PARACHUTIST BADGE, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.