Boliver Hyland

Birthplace: Wisner, NE

Branch of Service: Army

Unit: Company E, 112th Infantry

Theater of Operation: European

Battle: Rhineland

Enlisted / Commissioned: Apr 21, 1942

Discharged: Oct 20, 1945

Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant

Military Honors: EAME Campaign with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Medal, Good Conduct Medal

Honored By: His children; Bruce, Jess and Alice

Boliver Hyland was born August 8, 1918, to Robert and Mariette Hyland in Wisner, Nebraska. His family moved to Haddam, Kansas, where Hyland graduated with the class of 1936. Hyland learned about the U.S. entering the war from the car radio when he and his future wife were driving to a dance.

Hyland entered the service April 21, 1942, at Fort Leavenworth and was officially in the Army. He was stationed in Europe, as a rifleman, seeing combat at the Rhineland campaign and throughout France and Germany. When in Paris, his unit took a photo at the Arc de Trimphe, but he ended up in a row behind and was not seen in the photo. Later in life, Hyland shared with his family in one battle, everyone in his group was killed but himself — an event that lingered with his persona throughout his life.

Hyland returned home and became involved with a local veterans group, commandeering veteran day events as well as veteran groups to lead parades. Hyland married Phyllis Fencil in 1948, and they had three children.