Thomas Wesley Boydston was born on 25 April 1928 at Marquette, KS. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray T. Boydston and moved with his family to McPherson, KS, at the age of six. He received his elementary education in the McPherson Public Schools, graduating from McPherson High School in May 1946. He received his appointment to the U.S. Military Academy in July of that year.

McPherson was proud that July morning when word went around that he had received his appointment. The discussion on Main Street was not of the wheat which was being harvested, but of the honor Tom had brought to the town and himself in receiving the appointment to West Point. That evening the local paper carried a front page story of the event. Just four months before, Tom, as captain of his high school basketball team, had led that team to the finals of the State tournament, where, with practically the entire town witnessing or listening by radio, his team lost by only one point in an overtime game.

As a boy in high school, Tom was everything a parent might dream his boy would be. In Junior High he received the American Legion Honor Award as an outstanding student. In Senior High he earned letters each year in football and basketball, and yet found time to devote to his studies so that he graduated as Valedictorian of his class. In his senior year his classmates elected him "Prince Charming," during the biggest event in the local community, the annual May Day celebration.

In his younger days, Scouting was one of Tom's first loves. On 4 October 1944, Tom was awarded the Eagle Badge, by his wonderful mother who was ever his inspiration. Among his classmates, friends and townspeople it was the unanimous opinion that Eagle Scout Tom Boydston typified the ideal in American Boyhood. Tall, handsome, and friendly, with all of the fine qualities in the out-of-doors or on the Athletic Field. He lived a clean, Christian life.

Concerning his life at West Point, Colonel John K. Waters, Commandant of Cadets, wrote Tom's parents: "Tom demonstrated from the early days of his plebe year, 1946-47, his ability to be outstanding among the select group of young cadets who were his contemporaries. He was neat and soldierly appearing: he was capable in practical matters such as drill, physical education and administration; he was well equipped intellectually for the academic work: and he was of good moral fiber and character to base a career as a military leader. Tom's approach to cadet life was balanced and mature. He was serious about his studies and he took an active interest in athletics and other extra-curricular activities. His graduation standing of 134 out of 670 speaks well for his academic and military efforts. In sports he won the Academy athletic monogram playing soccer in his third class year. He was outstanding forward on the Army Basketball team, earning a monogram his third class year and a major "A" award his second and first class year."

John Mauer, Tom's basketball coach, a man Tom greatly admired, wrote: "In my twenty-five years that I have coached, I have never had a boy who did as much to improve himself or work harder than Tom did while playing for me. He had every characteristic that a coach wants in a boy along with fine morale and team spirit."

After graduation from West Point, Tom reported to Fort Riley, KS, on 10 August 1950 for his first assignment—the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron—where he was stationed until he received his overseas orders. He reported to Fort Lawton, WA, on 11 October and was flown to Japan on the 14 October, arriving in Korea in the latter part of the month. Almost immediately he was at the front line, serving for a few weeks in an Infantry Division until he received his permanent assignment with Company A of the 70th Tank Battalion. He was promoted to First Lieutenant early in January 1951. On 26 April 1951, just one day after Tom had passed his twenty-third birthday, he was killed in action.

Medals and Awards

Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation