Boyd A. Alexander

Rang: Second Lieutenant

Overlijdensdatum: 17 September 1944

Legeronderdeel: 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division

Laatste rustplaats: Amerikaanse Begraafplaats Margraten

Triangle of Tribute locatie: Nijmegen, Fransestraat/Groesbeekseweg

Boyd was born on May 16, 1923, in Webb City, Oklahoma, into a family of nine children. He attended Phillips High School, where he was known as an all-around athlete and even recorded the school’s fastest time in the quarter mile. After graduating, he entered military service on August 5, 1943. He received officer training at Fort Benning and was subsequently transferred to Camp Adair, Oregon. Once there, he found himself thinking back to Fort Benning and volunteered for parachute training. After earning his jump wings, he was assigned to A Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Following his combat jump in Normandy, Boyd made his second combat jump near Groesbeek on September 17, 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden. He was last seen during the fighting near the intersection of Groesbeekseweg and Fransestraat. He was reported missing in action on September 18 and was officially determined to have been killed in action on September 20, 1944. September 17, 1944, is considered the most likely date of his death, although September 20, 1944, is inscribed on his headstone. Boyd was 21 years old.