William T Boyd

Pfc William Boyd was killed in action on 06 June 1944, serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment. On the morning of June 6, 1944, the Regimental Troops of the 116th Infantry landed on Omaha Beach roughly an hour behind schedule, coming ashore about 1,000 yards from their intended position amid a beach already congested with obstacles and pinned-down troops. Casualties in the initial crossing were comparatively light, though the unit was not spared loss in reaching the sea wall. A forward element moved quickly off the beach, cutting through wire and a minefield to reach high ground within about half an hour without further casualties, while the remainder of the company became split into two separate groups after cresting the hill under fire. One larger group dug in and held its position until reuniting with the rest of the command late that afternoon, while a smaller party pushed nearly a mile inland and would not rejoin the main body for another two days. Pfc Boyd was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.