Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard
Klemm
Boyd
, Jr.
KIA (RVN)
April 9, 1938

–

October 26, 1967

Born:

Fort Benning

, 

Georgia

Home:

Gibson Island

, 

Maryland

Buried: 

West Point

, 

New York

Cemetery:

U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery

Richard Boyd graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, Class of 1960. He was killed in action while serving as a U.S. Army Major in the Vietnam War. His father graduated from the Academy in 1931. His paternal grandfather, Captain Charles T. Boyd, USMA Class of 1896, was killed in action in 1916, during the American expedition against Pancho Villa. His maternal grandfather, Major General Ralph M. Pennell, USMA Class of 1906, was the Commandant of the Artillery Center at Fort Sill. A great-uncle, Colonel Karl D. Klemm, graduated with the USMA Class of 1905. Two uncles, Colonel Robert Pennell, USMA Class of 1939 and Major General Osmund A. Leahy, USMA Class of 1940 were also West Point graduates.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion (Airborne

    Regiment:

    502d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    October 2, 1967
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Richard Klemm Boyd, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Boyd distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against the enemy on 2 October 1967. As the point platoon assaulted the initial enemy bunker system, it was pinned down. Captain Boyd directed that two platoons move forward to assist the pinned down platoon. Personally leading the maneuvering force from the point element, he started across an exposed area and was immediately brought under intense automatic weapons, rifle, and rocket fire. Observing that two of his men had been seriously wounded and were lying in an exposed area of hostile fire, Captain Boyd immediately, and with complete disregard for his own safety, pushed forward through the intense fire and pulled the men to safety. Captain Boyd then directed that one platoon give covering fire for the maneuvering element in order to withdraw its casualties and disengage the enemy to allow supporting artillery fire to be called in. Dazed by enemy rocket fire which wounded four, Captain Boyd regained his feet and, still exposed to the enemy fire, moved among his men’s positions giving them encouragement and directing their fire. Captain Boyd remained continuously exposed until his wounded had been removed to safety. His actions enabled B Company to deal effectively with a numerically superior enemy force while sustaining minimum casualties. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Boyd, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.