Robert "Bob" Boyd Jr. was born in Cambridge, MA, in 1924 and raised in nearby Haverhill. His lifelong passion for flight began in 1929 with a ride in a biplane. He interrupted his studies at the University of New Hampshire to join the Army Air Corps in 1943, and later graduated with an engineering degree in 1948.

Bob received his pilot wings at Aloe Army Air Field on March 12, 1944 and was sent to Wilmington, NC. While training there, Boyd belly-landed a P-47 at Ocean Isle Beach and the plane was abandoned. Hurricane Floyd uncovered the remains in 1999, which are now in storage at the Carolinas Aviation Museum. Bob was reunited with his aircraft in 2001 when he addressed a museum audience to speak about the experience.

Boyd reported to the China/Burma/India theater in 1944 and was assigned to the 88th Fighter Squadron; 80th Fighter Group, where he flew 84 combat missions.

Upon returning to the US, he flew in the NH Air Guard (1948-60), the CT Air Guard (1951) and the MA Air Guard (1964-66).

He returned to active duty for the Korean War and flew 100 combat missions in 'Mig Alley' with the 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Group in 1952.

Bob remained active in general aviation following his military service and eventually discovered the joy of soaring, which he pursued passionately for nearly 20 years. He was a member of the Greater Boston Soaring Club and particularly enjoyed flying at Franconia, NH.

Lt Col Bob Boyd is a command military pilot with more than 3,700 hours flight time. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Oak Leaf Clusters.

According to Bob, he was born at the 'right time' in aviation history, and considers himself fortunate to have flown high performance propeller, jet and soaring aircraft in a single lifetime.

AIRCRAFT FLOWN
PT-19, BT-13, T-6, P-40, P-47, P-51, C-45, A-24, L-5, F-94, F-84-F, F-86, Piper Cub, Colt, Cherokee, Cessna 140, 150 Aerobat, Rogallo Wing hang gliders and various soaring aircraft.

His hometown is Walpole, MA.