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305th AMW historian named best in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dilia DeGrego
  • 305 AMW Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  The 305th Air Mobility Wing historian, Gary Boyd, was recently awarded the Allan S. Major Award. 

This annual award recognizes a historian, assigned to a single-person wing or independent group history office as the Air Force’s best. The award is based on program utility, viability and excellence in writing.  

This is the second year in a row Mr. Boyd has earned this award. He adds this award to five other Air Force-level awards and 14 command-level awards he has received throughout his 18-year historian career. 

Although Mr. Boyd is no stranger to being recognized for his Air Force service, he was surprised by the award. 

“I was proud, but shocked,” Mr. Boyd said. “It was a tough year for me.  I transitioned to civil service while preparing for our IGX (inspectors general exercise) and multiple challenges.” 

Some of his accomplishments this year, according to the award package, include being the busiest office in Air Mobility Command with more than 350 requests for information a year; rating an “excellent” during the McGuire Operational Readiness Inspection in Alpena, Mich., and being the first historian to deploy to a rated inspection as a civilian. 

Mr. Boyd also was responsible for writing a new biography for a 1/18 P-38 model honoring Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. Mr. Boyd co-hosted a weekly seminar with the base librarian about World War I, using a grant he helped secure, making McGuire the only Air Force base to win a grant to host the series. Additionally, Mr. Boyd was a heritage point of contact for the renaming of McGuire’s 3rd Avenue as “POW/MIA Boulevard.” 

Throughout the year, Mr. Boyd said he was able to achieve success because of the help he received from Team McGuire members. 

“I have had the total support of Team McGuire,” he said. “It sometimes takes a while for our busy offices to get back to me with key data — but they always come through.  Our historical property custodians have been wonderful, led by Tech. Sgt. Corinne Alvord in quality assurance.  

“There has never been a more proactive (305th AMW) commander than Colonel (Rick) Martin; he actively integrates historical lessons in everything we do,” Mr. Boyd added. “Our veterans here are very, very supportive — from retired Lt. Col. Bob Hanson on.  

David Nagel, a 305th Bomb Group veteran of World War II, has supported me and the office in every possible way too.  I have learned so much from him. I love coming to work.” 

With one more history award under his belt, Mr. Boyd said he looks forward to the future, ready for whatever may come. 

“I hope to continue to do this as long as I can,” Mr. Boyd said. “History is about honoring sacrifice and dedication — there is an abundance of it here at McGuire every day.” 

Mr. Boyd will be presented with his award at a world-wide history conference in October.