Boyd enlisted in the Army Air Forces on October 30, 1944, while he was still a junior in high school. After graduation, he completed his basic training and skill training as an aircraft turret mechanic during the waning months of World War II. From January 1946 to January 1947, Boyd served as a swimming instructor in Japan. He attained the rank of sergeant, and served in the Air Force Reserve until he graduated from college. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in economicsCoram 2002, p. 33. and later earned a second bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.Coram 2002, p. 154.
Boyd enlisted in the Army Air Forces on October 30, 1944 while he was still a junior in high school. After graduation, he completed his basic training and skill training as an aircraft turret mechanic during the waning months of World War II. From January 1946 to January 1947, Boyd served as a swimming instructor in Japan. He attained the rank of sergeant, and served in the Air Force Reserve until he graduated from college. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in economicsCoram 2002, p. 33 and later earned a second bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.Coram 2002, p. 154.