Boyd Foster Reeder
2LT in 23rd Headquarters Co
ASN#1323480
Born 1922 in DC, Died 1994
Other residence(s): Baltimore, MD; Columbia, MO; Panama; Hampton, VA
United States Army, European Theatre of Operations
College education before the war: Texas A&M
Boyd Reeder was born on July 26, 1922 in Washington DC, the younger of two sons. His father was a career Army officer who had recently returned from service in World War I, and duties with the occupying forces in Germany.
Like many Army brats, he grew up in a variety of communities. He lived in Columbia, MO in 1930, Panama in his teens, and a number of other posts. He graduated from Texas A&M University, where he served as a 1st SGT in the Corps of Cadets, and was commissioned a 2LT in the Army on August 4, 1943.
Boyd was eventually assigned to the 23 HQ Company of the Ghost Army, along with his brother Harry, Jr. Their father, Harry, Sr., served as CO of the unit.
Boyd married Betsy Newsom Gallagher in October, 1945, shortly after returning to the US from Europe. They would go on to have three children: Betsy, Boyd Jr., and William. Sadly, Betsy died in early childhood.
He was promoted to 1LT in 1947. He later saw service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, earning the rank of LTC during his career. His brother, Harry, was also a career Army officer.
In the 1960s, Boyd was the HQ Commandant at Fort Monroe in Hampton, VA, and settled happily in Hampton with his family, remaining in that community for the rest of his life.
Boyd retired from the Army on September 10, 1971. He was a member of the Old Point Comfort Yacht Club, and of various organizations for retired officers.
He died on May 22, 1994 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sources:
1930 census
1940 high school yearbook (includes photo)
1943 Texas A&M yearbook (includes photo; copy attached)
1945 engagement announcement in The Baltimore Sun
1963 article in Newport News VA Daily Press
https://www.newspapers.com/image/231324149/?terms=col%20boyd%20f%20reeder&match=1
1966 US Select Military Registers
1994 Find a Grave record
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37392149/boyd-foster-reeder
1994 Social Security death record
1994 US Veterans' Gravesites
1994 obituary in the Newport News VA Daily Press