Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Eugene
Lorell
Boyd
POW (WWII)
February 15, 1904

–

February 1, 1975

Eugene Boyd was captured and survived the Bataan Death March before being transferred ultimately to two POW camps in Japan. At the close of the war and after forty months of captivity, he was reunited with his family in San Diego, California. To his dismay, as the result of complications from imprisonment, he was retired for health reasons at the rank of commander soon thereafter.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Division:

    U.S.S. Genesee (AT-55)

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1941 – February 25, 1942
    Commandant, 16th Naval District 281200 NCR 7859 (April 29, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Eugene Lorell Boyd (NSN: 0-70804), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Fleet Tug U.S.S. GENESEE (AT-55), during the defense of Manila Bay, in the Philippine Islands, from 7 December 1941 to 25 February 1942. While exposed to frequent horizontal and dive bombing attacks by enemy Japanese air forces, Ensign Boyd directed the anti-aircraft batteries of his ship and conducted operations of strategic importance involving hazardous missions such as to bring great credit to his command and the United States Naval Service.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1942
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Ensign Eugene Lorell Boyd (NSN: 0-70804), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control during operations to liberate the Philippines in 1945.