CAMP DELARAM II, Afghanistan– Marines from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, held a memorial service, Sept. 3, to commemorate the life of Cpl. Christopher J. Boyd, who was killed in action, Aug. 19. He was 22 years old.
Boyd was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2.
“Cpl. Boyd was a wealth of knowledge, and played a key role in the platoon’s success. Couple his natural leadership with his unselfish attitude, and he was the warrior everyone wanted,” said 1st Lt. John Somers, the platoon commander for Company F, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. “He was the epitome of a warrior and was ready to do whatever it took in order to help his team, squad or platoon against the enemy.”
Boyd attended Palatine High School in Chicago. He began his Marine Corps career, June 10, 2006.
He successfully completed his military occupational specialty school and became an infantry rifleman.
Boyd was first assigned to Company C, Marine Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, Calif. On Sept. 7, 2007, he was reassigned to Company F, 2nd Bn., 4th Marines where he deployed several times as an instructor for various foreign military units between January 2008 and September 2009.
Soon after returning from his last deployment in May 2010, he immediately volunteered to redeploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduing Freedom one month later.
“Chris was truly a great and unique individual,” said Cpl. Daniel Pereira, a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Bn., 4th Marines. “He was the kind of man you wanted on your side.”
“The Marines Corps has lost one of its finest warriors, and a first class leader,” Somers added. “I am proud to have been his platoon commander, and to have fought side-by-side with him.”
As the ceremony drew to a close the Marines of 2nd Bn., 4th Marines paid their final respects, performing the traditional twenty-one-gun salute and the playing of “Taps,” honoring the sacrifice made by their fellow Marine.
“His presence is one that surely cannot be replaced, but certainly will be remembered,” said Somers. “Cpl. Boyd was the son, the husband, and the warrior that every Marine should strive to be.”
Boyd is survived by his wife, Danielle, and two sons, Jack and Evan.