Richard Donald Boyle – Major General, United States Army

From a contemporary press report:

Richard Donald Boyle, 65, a retired major general in the Army, died July 11, 1996 at his home in Kilgore, Texas.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, General Boyle was educated at the University of Virginia, where he obtained a master’s degree and a doctorate in physics. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was quarterback for the Black Knights football team.

General Boyle’s military service included membership on the US atomic test team and serving as executive to the secretary of the Army. He was decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal.

He married Frances  Leverett Boyle in 1956, and after he retired in 1982 after 29 years of service, they moved to Kilgore.

He was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Kilgore, where he served on the Financial Council for the diocese. He also was a board member of the Shakespeare Festival and Guild. His hobbies included ranching and raising cattle.

Survivors include his wife, Frances, and two sons and a daughter-in-law, Frank and Cissy Boyle of Georgetown, Texas, and John Boyle of New Braunfels, Texas. A Mass was celebrated on July 13 in Kilgore. Burial will be July 22 at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 30).

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard