Robert Lee Boyer
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Robert Lee Boyer was born on 16 December 1946 in Muncie, IN, the son of Everett Scherry and Alice Marie McClary Boyer. The family later moved to Long Beach, CA.

Robert graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School and was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps on 8 March 1966 in Los Angeles, CA. Following his Basic and Advanced Individual Training, he was deployed to Vietnam where his tour began on 14 May 1967.

On 28 December 1967, Corporal Boyer was serving with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced), III Marine Amphibious Force in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, Cpl Boyer was killed in action when he sustained wounds from small arms fire. (For the circumstances and details of his death, see the Silver Star Medal citation below.) His body was recovered.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart with Gold Star
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Robert L. Boyer (MCSN: 2234967), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company E, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, on 28 December 1967. During Operation AUBURN, Company E came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and grenade launcher fire from a well-entrenched force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars in Quang Nam Province. In the initial moments of the fire fight, a squad of Marines was pinned down and sustained several casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Corporal Boyer immediately maneuvered his platoon toward the harassed unit's position and skillfully established a base of fire to support the Marines. Then, with complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly exposed himself to the heavy volume of hostile fire to aid a wounded comrade. Unhesitatingly, he crawled across twenty meters of fire-swept terrain, until he reached the side of the injured man and, while moving the casualty to a position of relative safety, was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy small arms fire. Corporal Boyer's aggressive fighting spirit and calm presence of mind in the face of extreme danger were an inspiration to his men and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his superb leadership and unfaltering devotion to duty he upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Honors

The name Robert L Boyer is located on Panel 32E Line 84 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Corporal Robert Lee Boyer is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Long Beach) in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, CA, in Iris, Lot 73 1/2, Grave B.