Charles Boyd

In appreciation and gratitude for your continuing display of the

National Flag that inspired your community to follow suit, and

for your commitment to the United States of America.

8th November, 2007

Citation
Marine Corps League Certificate of Appreciation for
Charles Boyd

          Charles Boyd was born in Kent, west of Pecos, Texas, and graduated from Pecos High School before entering the Army during World War Two. He arrived in the Philippines in time for the mopping-up operations following the recapture of those islands.

          Just days after the second Atomic Bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, Boyd was part of a special unit of six (6) attached to General Douglas Macarthur's staff. Assigned the unpleasant task of determining whether or not the Japanese would continue to fight prior to acceptance of surrender terms in August of 1945, their mission carried them through the atomic ash of Nagasaki.

          In September of 1945, Boyd's team became the first westerners to arrive in Omuta, Japan, the location of a prisoner-of-war camp. Fukuoka # 17 contained Australian, British, Dutch, and American POWs, including survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March. One of the first things they did was to raise the "Stars and Stripes" over the camp. When they saw it, many of the freed POWs cried.

          After the war, Boyd entered Tarleton State University to complete his education, but transferred to Texas A&M, where he received a Bachelors degree in Biology in 1951. Upon graduation, he was employed by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife as a game warden and field biologist. Soon he focused on research and became one of the first research biologists in East Texas. Boyd retired after forty-two years of service.

          Always patriotic, Boyd began flying the American flag in his front yard, careful to observe proper flag etiquette. He put the flag up each morning and gently took it down each night. His efforts inspired his neighbors to do the same, and many flag are displayed proudly along Mockingbird Lane.

          Sadly, Boyd passed away, but his legacy endures. His family continues to fly the American Ensign, and recently installed a permanent flag pole for that purpose.

          For his patriotic display of "Old Glory," we are proud to present to Charles Boyd, the Marine Corps League Certificate of Appreciation.

          Here to accept the award is his wife, Oweda, and his son, Alan.