Charles Boyd is a graduate of the University of Kansas. Captured after his aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam in the mission that earned him the Air Force Cross on April 22, 1966, Captain Boyd was held as a Prisoner of War in Hanoi for nearly 8 years. Upon release from captivity on February 12, 1973, he remained in the Air Force and retired in 1995 as a 4-Star General.
Sponsored by:
Charles
Graham
Boyd
POW (RVN)
April 15, 1938
–
March 23, 2022
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
Air UniversityAction Date:
January 4, 1990 – October 28, 1992
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. General Boyd distinguished himself as Commander, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, from 4 January 1990 to 28 October 1992. In this important assignment, General Boyd’s superb leadership and unselfish personal dedication resulted in far reaching improvements in all Air University schools and programs. His extraordinary contributions to Air University, sister services, and the United States Air Force have directly benefited the American people through greatly increased effectiveness of all Air Force professional military and graduate education programs. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Boyd reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
July 28, 1984 – November 21, 1986
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, from 28 July 1984 to 21 November 1986. General Boyd’s dynamic leadership, tireless efforts, exceptional financial stewardship, and superb managerial ability have vastly improved the operational capability of the United States of America and Allied Command Europe military forces. His comprehensive planning and tenacious follow-through were major factors in the successful deployment of the ground launched cruise missile weapon system in Europe. He charted a course for the future with realistic plans and programs, revolutionized the theater war planning process, and inspired lasting contributions by our allies to the defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Boyd reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
July 13, 1979 – July 27, 1984
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of the Western Hemisphere Division, Deputy Director for Regional Plans and Policy, as the Deputy Assistant Director for Joint and National Security Council Matters, Directorate of Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, District of Columbia, from 13 July 1979 to 27 July 1984. In these important positions the keen insight, judgment and dedicated efforts of General Boyd were significantly displayed in the analysis and advice provided on major politico-military issues of national significance. His clear counsel contributed immeasurably to the timely and efficient functioning of the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and to the security of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Boyd reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in March 1969. The North Vietnamese interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted this treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
421st Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
April 22, 1966
Department of the Air Force, Special Orders GB-202 (1966)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a combat strike pilot of an F-105D Thunderchief of the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action approximately 35 miles northwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 22 April 1966. On that date, Captain Boyd volunteered to participate in a flight with the mission of destroying Surface to Air Missile (SAM) Sites posing a threat to flights striking a bridge in the Phu Tho area. While attacking a hostile SAM site, Captain Boyd saw two missiles streak toward his aircraft. His superb airmanship and instant reaction enabled him to evade the missiles, which burst very near his aircraft. Without hesitation, Captain Boyd continued the attack on the hostile missile site. As he made a second pass through the intense flak which filled the sky around him, Captain Boyd’s aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and he was forced to eject himself in a heavily populated, hostile area. The selfless act of making repeated attacks through intense ground fire after barely avoiding two missiles was far beyond the normal call of duty. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Boyd reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam on 17 April 1966. On that date, Captain Boyd volunteered to participate in a flight supporting a strike against heavily defended surface-to-air missile sites. While making a high speed, low altitude attack run on a hostile SAM site, two missiles were observed to rise from their launchers and streak toward the flight. Through expert airmanship and skillful maneuvering, Captain Boyd avoided the lethal missiles and continued the attack. Realizing the importance of striking as many SA-2 sites as possible which might threaten the main strike force, Captain Boyd requested to save his remaining ordnance for another hostile SAM site. In spite of the intense anti-aircraft fire, Captain Boyd continued to circle the target area giving damage assessment and locating heavy flak concentrations for the main flight. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Boyd reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 1966 – April 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 1966 to April 1969. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1970 – May 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam from July 1970 to May 1972. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 22, 1966 – February 12, 1973
Major Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 22, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1, 1968 – January 15, 1973
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Charles Graham Boyd, United States Air Force, for outstanding achievement in a position of leadership while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1, 1968 to January 15, 1973. This officer performed duties dealing in highly classified material while under constant surveillance of the enemy. He generated new ideas and improvised new techniques which greatly enhanced covert operations. His outstanding performance and dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.