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Casualty Info
Home Town Coatesville, PA
Last Address 744 Merchant St Coatesville, PA
Casualty Date Apr 02, 1944
Cause KIA-Died of Wounds
Reason Gun, Small Arms Fire
Location Pacific
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (VA) - Honolulu, Hawaii
Thomas was born on April 4, 1925. His parents, Thomas Sr. and Fannie, lived at 744 Merchant St. Coatesville. His father worked at the Steam Plant at 4th and Elm Streets. Thomas was one of 6 children: David, Cephas, Henry, Thomas, Eula, and Sara. Thomas attended the James Adams School,. which was located at the Southeast corner of 8th and Merchant Streets. The Adams School provided education for Afro-Americans from Kindergarten through 9th grade.
After graduation from the Adams School, Thomas attended the S. Horace Scott High School on Stiring St. between 8th and 9th Avenues. He played football and loved auto mechanics. Thomas developed his talent for singing, and often stayed after school to practice. He was chosen to become a member of the High School Meistersingers, a renowned choral group in the County. He was one of 10 students from the School selected to sing with the All-State Chorus, which was hosted at the Scott in January of 1942. He won awards for his talented voice, including 2nd place for mixed quartet in the State championships.
Thomas became a member of the Hutchinson Memorial U.A.M.E. Church located at 825 Chestnut St. He was known as a jovial and likeable person. He loved to dress well and was very neat in appearance. The Yearbook says he was "hardy, happy, trustworthy - has many friends, - contagious grin," and has "ambition."
After graduation Thomas obtained employment with the Pennsylvania Rail Road, as a laborer. He was called to service and entered the U.S. Navy on June 8, 1943. He was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. After completing boot camp, Thomas was sent to the South Pacific and stationed on New Hebrides, a group of Islands in the Coral Sea, West of Australia and South of the Solomon Islands. Two days before his 19th birthday, Seaman 2nd Class Thomas Boyd Jr, was killed by a Japanese sniper.
His parents received the telegram of his death on April 15th, from Vice Admiral Jacobs, Chief of Navy Personnel. A memorial service was held at the Hutchinson Memorial U.A.M.E Church with a large attendance from the community. The Flag and Service Flag are saved at the church. Thomas was buried at the Punch Bowl National Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii, with full military honors.
The James Adams School dedicated their new library as the Thomas Boyd Memorial Library on May 18th, 1944. A Tree was planted in his honor at the playground at 9th and Chestnut Streets.
