The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, 2LT Frank Riley Loyd Jr, O-0062775, who died in the service of his country on September 26th, 1950 in South Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Frank was 22 years of age. He was from Laramie, Texas. Frank's Military Occupation Specialty was 1542.
The decorations earned by 2LT Frank Riley Loyd Jr include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Loyd Elementary School was built in 1958 and dedicated March 26, 1959 to 2LT Frank R. Loyd.
2LT Frank R. Loyd, Jr. was the son of (Ret) Col. and Mrs. Frank R. Loyd. Lt. Loyd spent his youth on a number of Army posts throughout the United States to include attending the fourth and fifth grades here at Ft. Benning.
In 1946, Loyd entered the United States Military Academy, West Point, and was commissioned an officer in 1950. At the academy, Loyd attained the rank of cadet sergeant, played football, and was a member of the rifle team and model airplane club.
Following his graduation and commissioning at West Point, Loyd was assigned to Korea as a platoon leader in B company, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Loyd joined his platoon near Uryong, Korea. Here, Loyd and his platoon helped to stop Task Force Dolvin. Without regard for his own safety, with a pistol Loyd and his men forced the well-fortified enemy to withdraw. During the final assault of this mission on September 26, 1950, Lt. Loyd was killed in action.
For his heroism as a platoon leader, Lt. Frank R. Loyd was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Frank Riley Loyd, Jr. (0-62775), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Loyd distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Sinan-Myan, Korea, on 26 September 1950. When Task Force DOLVIN was proceeding along a road, the column was stopped by severe enemy sniper and automatic-weapons fire from the high ground to their right. Lieutenant Loyd, as platoon leader of the 1st platoon, was riding tanks at the rear of the column. When the enemy commenced firing, Lieutenant Loyd, without regard for his own safety, immediately formed fifteen men into an effective fighting force and attacked the hill. In the course of the attack the group was pinned down by devastating enemy fire and grenades. Lieutenant Loyd, although armed only with a pistol, exposed himself to the deadly enemy fire and through his outstanding display of courage, aggressiveness and leadership so inspired his men that they assaulted the position and forced the enemy to withdraw. In this final assault Lieutenant Loyd was killed. Due to his heroic action, an enemy force of what was later determined to be 150 men were forced from well fortified positions.
Buried in the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road in San Antonio, TX Section B site 253-A (Note his father is buried next to him)
|
