Retired Major Henry “Duke” Boswell
United States Army
United States Army (Retired) Major, Henry “Duke” Boswell, 92, passed away in Colorado Springs on November 29, 2015. Duke was born on October 8, 1923 in Wilson, North Carolina to the late James and Della (McKeel) Boswell. Duke attended Coon High School and at the age of sixteen, joined the North Carolina National Guard and was assigned to Company M, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. On September 16, 1940, he was called to active duty while still sixteen years of age and was assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
In June 1942, Corporal Boswell volunteered for parachute training and communications school and was transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia. He finished his training and was assigned to Company G, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. In November 1942, the Regiment was transferred to Fort Bragg and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.
On July 10, 1943, Sergeant Boswell saw his first combat action when he jumped into Sicily. He again made a jump into Salerno, Italy in September 1943 and helped liberate Naples, Italy on October 1, 1943. On June 6, 1944, Sergeant Boswell jumped behind enemy lines into St. Mere Eglise, France just prior to the Normandy invasion. This was the first town in France to be liberated from the Germans. Sergeant Boswell made one more combat jump into Holland in September 1944. They returned to France and fought in the Battle of the Bulge until January 1945. His unit made the river assault crossing into Germany and fought until meeting the Russians in May 1945. At the start of the war, Staff Sergeant Boswell’s unit started with 146 men and by the end, there were 13 left who hadn’t been killed or wounded.
After World War II, he entered Officer Training School in January 1948 and was reassigned to Airborne Training Battalion at Fort Benning as a Second Lieutenant. He married Maxine Martin of Junction City, Kansas on December 22, 1948. In September 1950, 1st Lieutenant Boswell was assigned to the First Cavalry Division, Korea. During the Korean War, Lt. Boswell was seriously wounded by mortar fire and sustained injuries in both hands and legs. After being released from the hospital, Major Boswell had assignments in Georgia, Hawaii and finished his career at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Major Boswell earned a Bachelors Degree in Education from the University of Omaha and a Masters Degree in Education from Northern Colorado. He served as a teacher for sixth graders for the next 20 years and received the Crystal Apple Award recognizing him as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year by School District 11. Major Boswell has been speaking with middle school and high school students, civic groups and ROTC Detachments for the last ten years sharing his amazing story.
In May 2009, Major Boswell was invited by the French Government to attend a D-Day 65th anniversary ceremony at Normandy Beach. Before the ceremony, the French President recognized him with a medal for the service and sacrifices he made during D-Day and the liberation of France. The medal he received is the “National Order of the Legion of Honour,” the highest decoration in France.
Major Boswell’s decorations and badges include: the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal, Master Parachute Badge with four Combat Jump Stars, Combat Infantry Badge with Star, European Campaign Ribbon with six Campaign Stars and One Invasion Arrowhead, Korean Service Ribbon with two Campaign Stars along with several other badges.
Major Boswell is survived by his sons: Ralph (Rosalee) and Jamie; grandchildren: Bethelyn Stanley and Mark Boswell; six great grandchildren: Joshua, Sam and Lalla-Rose Stanley and Webb, Behr and Ruby Boswell. He is also survived by his brother, James; one nephew, one niece and numerous friends. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maxine.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910. Funeral services and military honors will take place on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Remembrance. Private entombment will follow in the Gate of Heaven Mausoleum at the Shrine of Remembrance. A reception will follow services at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 South Union Boulevard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the ROTC Unit at UCCS. Checks may be made payable to: University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and please send to: UCCS Army ROTC, ATTN: Todd Emmert, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. For questions, call 719-255-3174.