This Military Service Page was created/owned by
A3C Michael S. Bell (Unit Historian)
to remember
Boston, Leo Sydney, Col.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Canon City
Last Address Ubon RTAFB
Casualty Date Apr 29, 1966
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Vietnam, North (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment United States Air Force Academy Cemetery (VLM) - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colonel Boston was trained for his mission at Hurlburt Field, Florida in class # Express 22
His unit was the 602 Tactical Fighter Squadron flying out of Ubon RTAFB, Thailand on the day of his loss. In April 1966, the 602nd was moved to Udorn RTAFB and that may be where he flew from when he was lost. They had been at Bien Hoa AB, SVN.
Capt. Leo S. Boston flew with the 602nd Tactical Fighter Squadron. On 29 April 1966, he was the pilot of an A1E aircraft which was on a search and rescue mission when he was reported missing. His aircraft, the lead plane in a flight of two, departed Ubon Airfield, Thailand, and became separated from the other aircraft during the mission.
No visual contact was made and no radio transmissions were received from him. The last known
location of the flight was about 5 miles west of the Black River in Son La Province, North Vietnam.
Leo Boston was continued in a missing status until 27 April 1978 when his status was changed to presumed dead. During the time he was maintained missing, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
Comments/Citation:
08 Jul 2011 10:11 PM
From Patriot Guard Riders:
The United States Air Force and the family of USAF COL Leo Boston request the presence of the Patriot Guard Riders for funeral services that will be held at the USAF Academy Cemetery at 1300 hours (1:00pm) on Friday 15 July.
COL Boston was attached to the 14th Air Commando Wing, 602nd Fighter Squadron and was listed as Missing in Action in Vietnam on 29 April 1966 while he was Pilot in Command of a Douglas A-1E Skyraider engaged in a search and rescue mission over North Vietnam. His remains were identified by the Department of Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office on 4 April 2011 and were brought back to Colorado for burial beside his wife in the USAF Academy Cemetary.
We will stage for this mission in the Santa Fe Trailhead parking lot, which is located 1/4 mile west of I-25 at the USAF Academy North Gate Exit (Exit 156). The parking lot is on the north side of the road just prior to entering the USAF Academy grounds. We will be escorted on to the Academy by the USAF Acaemy Security Forces and will follow their instructions.
There will be a large media presence for this funeral, so I am hoping that we can get a very good turnout.
Remember that we will be riding onto an active military installation, so you will need all of the appropriate riding gear. If you have questions about gear, see the following link: http://www.coloradopgr.org/MilitaryRideRequirements.htm
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