Two-time Purple Heart awardee travels on U.P. Honor Flight
Ronnie Boyce and Dneen Kerttu pose in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial — widely known as the Iwo Jima Memorial —in Arlington, Virginia. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Ronnie Boyce, center, is welcomed home as the 29th Upper Peninsula Honor Flight returns to Escanaba. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Ronnie Boyce holds a letter thanking him for his service. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press|
This photo, taken Feb. 23, 1945, shows six U.S. servicemen hoisting the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. (Photo by Joe Rosenthal | Associated Press)
Ronnie Boyce holds his Vietnam challenge coin and a large envelope while on the 29th Upper Peninsula Honor Flight. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Ronnie Boyce and Dneen Kerttu pose in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial — widely known as the Iwo Jima Memorial —in Arlington, Virginia. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Ronnie Boyce, center, is welcomed home as the 29th Upper Peninsula Honor Flight returns to Escanaba. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Ronnie Boyce holds a letter thanking him for his service. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press|
This photo, taken Feb. 23, 1945, shows six U.S. servicemen hoisting the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. (Photo by Joe Rosenthal | Associated Press)
Ronnie Boyce holds his Vietnam challenge coin and a large envelope while on the 29th Upper Peninsula Honor Flight. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- More than five decades after serving in Vietnam, a highly decorated veteran found himself touring memorials honoring his and his comrade's service while attending the 29th Upper Peninsula Honor Flight's excursion to Washington, D.C.
Retired Lance Corporal Ronnie Boyce, 77, of Houghton, was one of 70 veterans on the U.P. Honor Flight last week. Boyce served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1969.
According to his combat history, Boyce participated in several operations, particularly against hostile forces. After surviving shrapnel to the leg and a bullet to the buttocks, Boyce was awarded two Purple Hearts.
Other accolades Boyce earned includes a Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
A letter from Lt. General H. W. Buse, Jr., of the U.S. Marine Corps, reported the actions that earned Boyce the Bronze Star Medal, detailing Boyce’s service during combat operations against the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a radio operator with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
During the early morning hours of Feb. 25, 1969, Fire Support Base Russell came under a ground attack by a North Vietnamese Army sapper unit support by a heavy volume of mortar and rocket-propelled grenade fire.
When the Company E Command Post was struck, terminating communications between the company commander and the field units, Boyce reportedly attempted to re-establish contact without success.
"Alertly observing several enemy soldiers attempting to surround his position, (Boyce) delivered accurate rifle fire on them from his area. While moving to another position, he was seriously wounded by the intense enemy fire, but when he discovered two injured Marines, he disregarded his own wounds as he evacuated them to a location of relative safety," Buse continued.
Boyce continued to monitor his radio and established communications with the command post. Having informed his company commander of the situation, Boyce provided aid to the wounded until relief arrived.
"His bold initiative and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of two Marines," wrote Buse.
Looking back on the trip to Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas, Boyce said his favorite part was seeing the Marine Corps War Memorial -- widely known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. The memorial includes a realistic statue depicting the famous World War II photo of six men raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi in Japan.
Boyce was also profoundly moved to see the gravesites in the Arlington National Cemetery, which spans roughly 639 acres, according to the site's website.
"It was overwhelming to see all the gravesites. Can you just imagine how many acres and acres of people (there are)? Those two (sites) are the ones that kind of took my breath away," Boyce recalled.
Accompanying Boyce on the trip as a guardian was his daughter, Dneen Kerttu, who said she has immense pride for her father's service.
"When I was a kid -- you know, in school-- they asked me who my hero was, and I said 'My dad,'" Kerttu said. "I bragged about his medals that he won in the service… I'm very proud of my dad, and he's the most humble person with the best sense of humor."
Boyce has a bucket list consisting of experiences, achievements or goals that he wants to do or accomplish in his lifetime. The Upper Peninsula Honor Flight was on that list.
"One more thing to check off the list. I don't have to worry about skydiving anymore -- I did that. And this is another one I got to check off. It was so amazing," Boyce said.
After the flight, Boyce said his daughter, "had the time of her life."
Boyce's father, who served in World War II, also went to Washington, D.C. on a past honor flight in Montana at around the age of 91. Along with his father, Boyce's grandfather, son and grandson have all served in the military.
While reflecting on his service, Boyce said humbly, "I was just proud to serve."
Boyce, like many -- if not all -- of the other veterans on the trip, said he would love to travel to Washington, D.C. again.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.