THE BOYD-KURTZ-FERNSIDE FAMILY
The information on this page was last updated 8/17/2001

James Gilmore Boyd (IIB9) was born 8/10/1912. He graduated from Lower Merion Highschool in 1932. He worked in the undertaking business with his brother Rae until he got married. After that he went out on his own in Collegeville, PA. He married Katherine Kurtz but they eventually divorced. He next married Margaret "Peggy" Fernside and they also eventually divorced. He served in the South Pacific with the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a 60MM motorman with Hq. Company, 2nd Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He fought with this unit at Bougainville, part of the Solomon Islands from November 1943 to January 1944. His unit was relieved and they returned to Guadalcanal to rest and resupply their unit with men and supplies. Their unit then landed on Guam, part of the Marianas Islands group, and heavily fought there on July and August 1944. His unit was relieved and they began preparing for the invasion of Iwo Jima. Jim had earned enough combat time so he was rotated back to the United States. He arrived home to Norristown, Pa on leave on January 5, 1945. He then reported to Parris Island, SC. as a Drill Sergeant. He was discharged on October 17, 1945. His last marriage was to Edna ???. James eventually moved to Norristown and died 8/10/1972 in a Veterans Hospital of complications during an operation.