Cecil Boyd

Birthplace: Chapman, KS

Branch of Service: Army

Unit: Company G, 276th Infantry (70th Div)

Theater of Operation: European

Enlisted / Commissioned: Jul 24, 1943

Discharged: Jan 26, 1946

Honored By: Eisenhower Foundation

Cecil Boyd was a Combat Infantryman during WWII. He entered the Army at Fort Leavenworth, KS where he was assigned to the 70th Infantry, nicknamed the ‘Trailblazer Division.’ He was then sent to Camp Adair in Oregon for basic training. From there he went to Fort Leonard Wood, MO for further training in forest conditions where most of the action was in Europe. Following his training, Cecil was sent by ship to Marseille, France, where he then traveled by train to the front lines. He took part in the combat drive that carried our armies to the Rhine River. This was overlooking the famous ‘German Corner.’ It was termed ‘the most German’ spot in the Reich and where some of the fiercest battles were conducted, including the battle of Coblenz. During his time in the Army, Sergeant Boyd was awarded the: World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, RAME Theater Ribbon and two Bronze Stars. After he was discharged, Cecil returned to the Abilene area and worked in Heavy Equipment for about 11 years. He then went into business for himself. That business, as ‘Boyd Excavating’ and ‘Boyd Underground,’ are still in operation in Abilene by his family.