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Henry Boswell Obituary
In June 1942, Corporal Boswell volunteered for parachute training and communications school and was transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia. He finished his training and was assigned to Company G, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. In November 1942, the Regiment was transferred to Fort Bragg and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.
On July 10, 1943, Sergeant Boswell saw his first combat action when he jumped into Sicily. He again made a jump into Salerno, Italy in September 1943 and helped liberate Naples, Italy on October 1, 1943. On June 6, 1944, Sergeant Boswell jumped behind enemy lines into St. Mere Eglise, France just prior to the Normandy invasion. This was the first town in France to be liberated from the Germans. Sergeant Boswell made one more combat jump into Holland in September 1944. They returned to France and fought in the Battle of the Bulge until January 1945. His unit made the river assault crossing into Germany and fought until meeting the Russians in May 1945. At the start of the war, Staff Sergeant Boswell's unit started with 146 men and by the end, there were 13 left who hadn't been killed or wounded.
After World War II, he entered Officer Training School in January 1948 and was reassigned to Airborne Training Battalion at Fort Benning as a Second Lieutenant. He married Maxine Martin of Junction City, Kansas on December 22, 1948. In September 1950, 1st Lieutenant Boswell was assigned to the First Cavalry Division, Korea. During the Korean War, Lt. Boswell was seriously wounded by mortar fire and sustained injuries in both hands and legs. After being released from the hospital, Major Boswell had assignments in Georgia, Hawaii and finished his career at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Major Boswell earned a Bachelors Degree in Education from the University of Omaha and a Masters Degree in Education from Northern Colorado. He served as a teacher for sixth graders for the next 20 years and received the Crystal Apple Award recognizing him as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year by School District 11. Major Boswell has been speaking with middle school and high school students, civic groups and ROTC Detachments for the last ten years sharing his amazing story.
In May 2009, Major Boswell was invited by the French Government to attend a D-Day 65th anniversary ceremony at Normandy Beach. Before the ceremony, the French President recognized him with a medal for the service and sacrifices he made during D-Day and the liberation of France. The medal he received is the "National Order of the Legion of Honour," the highest decoration in France.
Major Boswell's decorations and badges include: the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal, Master Parachute Badge with four Combat Jump Stars, Combat Infantry Badge with Star, European Campaign Ribbon with six Campaign Stars and One Invasion Arrowhead, Korean Service Ribbon with two Campaign Stars along with several other badges.
Major Boswell is survived by his sons: Ralph (Rosalee) and Jamie (Steve Jeselnick); grandchildren: Bethelyn Stanley and Mark Boswell; six great grandchildren: Joshua, Sam and Lalla-Rose Stanley and Webb, Behr and Ruby Boswell. He is also survived by his brother, James; one nephew, one niece and numerous friends. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maxine.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910. Funeral services and military honors will take place on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Remembrance. Private entombment will follow in the Gate of Heaven Mausoleum at the Shrine of Remembrance. A reception will follow services at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 South Union Boulevard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the ROTC Unit at UCCS. Checks may be made payable to: University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and please send to: UCCS Army ROTC, ATTN: Todd Emmert, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. For questions, call 719-255-3174.
Online Condolences:
ShrineOfRemembrance.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Henry Boswell
Jimmy Boswell
November 26, 2024
Reading through the many wonderful tributes here, I again found especially meaningful the tribute written in 2015 by a former sixth grade student, Contessa ( Du'Cros) Nail.
Gary Coulter
November 28, 2021
There was never any greater example of "The Greatest Generation" than Duke Boswell. He bested the hardships of the great depression and volunteered for military service at an early age. When WWII started he opted too join the best of the best (Airborne All the Way) and survived four combat jumps into the teeth of the enemy. Severely injured during the Korean conflict, he retired from the Army and obtained his teaching degree and taught 20 years in public school; always serving and never complaining. He is missed so dearly and his wonderful memory lives on in our hearts.
Jimmy Boswell
November 26, 2021
Remembering Uncle Delmar becomes even more poignant with the loss of our dear cousin, his son Ralph.
Gary Coulter
November 27, 2020
On my desk, I keep a photo of Duke (in his dress uniform) posing with my wife and me. He was and still is such an inspiration me and all those who were blessed to know him. Tears well up in my eyes when I think of all he and the other men and women of his generation went through to preserve the American way of life and protect the principles upon which our nation was founded. Am reminded that America is still blessed with men and women willing to lay it all on the line to support and defend our constitution...but they are many times fewer than when Duke and his generation went to war. Sad.
James Boswell
November 26, 2020
A couple of further memories of "Duke" or Uncle Delmar as I knew him. (These were told me by my still living 101 year old father, his brother, another WWII hero who piloted 51 B-17 missions over Europe):
After Delmar became a teacher, there were so many former students who kept coming by to see him at the school that at one point the principal asked him to request that they not do that. Delmar let him know that in no way would he try to prevent former students from coming to see him! (There was also an amusing incident when Delmar was on a bus with a lot of other men going to some sort of occasion, and as it was pulling away from the curb, a former student, a young woman in a rather short skirt, saw him and went running after the bus excitedly yelling "Hey, Mr. Boswell! Hey, Mr. Boswell!" Delmar's companions began teasing him that he needed to go back and attend to his "girlfriend.")
Robert Zawislak
November 26, 2020
We feel so blessed to have the Duke in our lives over the years.He was a great Patriot to our country & a wonderful family man for his family.You will never be forgotten Major Boswell.
Commemoration of First US Army Mass Tactical Drop 29 March 43
Theodore Podewil
December 9, 2015
Outstanding example of our "Greatest Generation"! Although I spoke with him only once in March about a WWII Ceremony Commemorating the 505th PIR in Camden SC I knew he was a Trooper. This "breed" of man is sorely lacking today. It was a distinct honor and privilege to have known him for the brief time that I did. I celebrate that we had a man such as him grace our nation during the tribulations of WWII. God Bless "The Duke".
Respectfully,
Ted Podewil
Life Member 504th Parachute Infantry Association
Member, WWII C-47 Club
Jimmy Boswell
December 4, 2015
'Uncle Delmar' as I knew him was always an inspiration to me. And he obviously touched so many lives like that. I'll never forget one day after he came home from Korea and took his two sons and me his nephew on a long walk to the fabled 'trestle.' He was just always so interesting and a delight to be around. And my Mom who passed away a little over a year ago SO enjoyed his last visit with her! One of the great ones of 'The Greatest Generation.'
Bob&Bernie zawislak
December 4, 2015
We are so honered to had such a wonderful friend in our lives.RIP Duke you will never be forgotten.
Ralph Boswell
December 3, 2015
He was the greatest Father anyone could ever have. I will have the finest of memories of him from my children to the day I die.
I love him dearly and will miss him greatly
Maxine Wagner
December 3, 2015
Jamie it was such a great trip to St. Mere Eglise that Hank & I had the honor to attend with all of you that has made a lasting impression on us. Duke was a fine man and I thank him for defending our freedom. He will be missed! Hank & Max
Debby Boswell Keller
December 3, 2015
Ralph, Jamie, and family,
I will miss my Uncle Delmar. I loved his stories about the mischief he and his brothers got into! He was a wonderful person as well as a true hero. Bobby and I send our love and prayers.
Gary Coulter
December 3, 2015
Sincere condolences to the entire Boswell family. Duke was as fine man as has ever had the honor and privilege of proudly wearing the uniform of this great nation. It was my honor and privilege to have known him and to call him a true friend.
Curtus Green
December 3, 2015
I was fortunate enough to have "Mr. B" as my sixth grade teacher at Whittier Elementary. He let us watch Flash Gordon one day. I really think he rather enjoyed the show as much as we did. He was a great man. My condolences to the family.
Guy Moody
December 2, 2015
Farewell Duke.
Barry O'Shea
December 2, 2015
Ralph and Jamie-I feel so honored to have met Duke 14 yrs ago and to have escorted him back to Normandy, France for the DDay anniversaries 3 times with you. He was always a teacher when he spoke to students, active duty troops, veterans and civilians. He changed my life and I will miss him. Airborne All The Way!
December 2, 2015
Mr. Boswell was my 6th grade teacher, at Garfield elementary in 1966. I wanted to be in Mr. Kings class, and I wasted no time in letting him know I was unhappy. Well after a series of efforts on my part to get out of his class, my last caper ended with my mother coming to the school, and having me apologize to Mr. Boswell in front of the class, oh, and a swift swat on the rear end. Afterwards, he came to my desk and stooped down to look at me face to face, and with the most comforting of voices he said, " Now Contessa everything is going to be alright, you just need to settle down". After that day, I worked very hard to be the best student I could be for Mr. Boswell. He was the best teacher in the whole world! My heartfelt condolences to the family for your loss of this amazing man, you are in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Contessa( Du'Cros) Nail
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