Charles G. "Chuck" Boyd

By zthanson, 15 December, 2022
First Name
Charles
Middle Name
G.
Last Name
Boyd
Birthdate
Hometown
Rockwell City, Iowa
Rank
General
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit in front of an American flag.
PreCapture Description

Chuck Boyd entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force in April 1959, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings at Greenville AFB, Mississippi, on July 22, 1960. After completing F-100 Super Sabre combat crew training at Luke AFB, Arizona, and Nellis AFB, Nevada, Lieutenant Boyd served with the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Clark AB in the Philippines from July 1961 to October 1963. His next assignment was with the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, where he flew F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers at George AFB, California, from October 1963 to August 1964, and at McConnell AFB, Kansas, from August 1964 to November 1965. Captain Boyd began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia with the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, in November 1965. Boyd was shot down over Laos on February 26, 1966, and was quickly rescued. He was shot down a second time, this time over North Vietnam, while flying his 105th combat mission and was taken as a Prisoner of War on April 22, 1966.

Post Release Image
Older man with hands crossed sitting on a desk in front of a military plane painting.
Post Release Description

Boyd was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. Boyd was promoted to Major during the time he was held as a POW. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries and then attended the University of Kansas through an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment where he completed his Bachelors and Masters degrees. Colonel Boyd next attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from August 1976 to May 1977, and then served as special assistant to the chief of staff of Allied Forces Southern Europe in Naples, Italy, until June 1979. From June 1979 to July 1984, he served at Headquarters USAF in the Pentagon. General Boyd was next assigned as deputy chief of staff for plans and programs at Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, where he served at Ramstein AB, West Germany, from July 1984 to December 1986. He then served as Vice Commander of 8th Air Force at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, from December 1986 to June 1988, followed by another tour at the Pentagon from June 1988 to January 1990. General Boyd became Commander of Air University at Maxwell AFB in January 1990, and he served in this position until he was assigned as Deputy Commander in Chief of U.S. European Command in October 1992. He served in this position until his retirement from the Air Force on August 1, 1995. He is the only former POW from the Vietnam War to achieve the rank of O-10. Chuck Boyd Flew West on March 23, 2022.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Air Force Cross
  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal
  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Legion of Merit (3)
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star (3)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release