Robert N. Boyd

BOYD

ROBERT N. BOYD

Cold War Aerial Spy Robert N. Boyd, of Hilton Head Island, SC dies at 97 on September 2, 2023. He is survived by his two daughters Barbara and Patricia.



Following graduation from New Mexico Military Institute in 1944, Bob served on the USS Bennett DD473 during WWII and saw action during the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. While attending UCLA Bob met his lovely wife, Bea. They were married for 62 happy years until her death in 2010.



Bob was Chief of the Branch at the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) that discovered the Soviet missiles deployed in Cuba from U-2 photography, October 1962. Mr. Boyd received a citation from President John F. Kennedy and the CIA Intelligence Medal of Merit for his performance during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Mr. Boyd received a second CIA Intelligence Medal of Merit for his 25 years of outstanding service. October 2023, he will be inducted into the Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame.



Bob and Bea moved from Falls Church, VA and retired to Hilton Head Island in 1981, where Bob was an avid golfer. He also gave numerous talks regarding the U-2 program and aerial photography. Bob and Bea enjoyed traveling the world and in 2002, they took an extensive trip to Russia. Asked why he wanted to travel to Russia, Bob replied, "I have been looking at the Soviet Union from the air for 20 years and now I would like to see it from the ground."



Bob will be deeply missed by his family and all those who knew him.



The funeral will be held Monday, October 23, 12 noon at Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC with Military Honors.