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Sgt Francis E. Boyd entered military service on 3 August 1943. He had been overseas since January 1944 and participated in the battle of Anzio Beachhead and Rome and took part in the invasion of Southern France.

He died on 28 November in France as the result of wounds received on 27 November 1944.

Sgt Boyd received the Silver Star for gallantry in action 23 September 1944. "After crossing a river a rifle company's attack on an enemy hill position was stopped in an open field by fire from enemy automatic weapons and self-propelled guns. At the same time, enemy machine gunners attempted to cut off the company by infiltrating to the rear.
Realizing the seriousness of the threat, Sgt Boyd, whose squad was in support, moved his machine gun forward to obtain the best possible field of fire, and the delivered a steady and accurate fire on the emplacements which had been impeding the advance.
The self propelled gun began to shell his position, but Sgt Boys remained at his weapon firing until he had silenced the enemy machineguns, killing and wounding three of the enemy and forcing the others to withdraw. His courageous and aggressive conduct was a major contribution to the successful attack and reflect credit upon himself and the organization."
He is remembered at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Carroll County, Illinois.