| Colorado Springs WWII Hero Major Henry ‘Duke’ Boswell Passes Away
Veteran who made four combat jumps behind enemy lines during WWII
(November 30, 2015–Colorado Springs) – We are heartbroken to share the news that WWII Veteran and Colorado Springs resident, Major Henry “Duke” Boswell passed away last night. He was a loving grandfather, husband, father, brother and friend.
Major Boswell, was among the most rare of WWII veterans, having lived through 4 combat parachute jumps behind enemy lines: Sicily, Italy, Normandy, and The Netherlands. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge and helped to liberate a concentration camp in Germany.
Major Boswell entered the Army at age 16 when he forged his parent’s signature on the enlistment papers. After the war began, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne. Major Boswell served his nation proudly throughout WWII and during the Korean War where he was severely wounded. He retired from the Army in 1963 when he relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado and taught in School District 11.
While we mourn him in death, we will celebrate his incredible bravery in combat and his unique ability to make his story come alive through presentations to school children and the public. At the time of Major Boswell’s death he was hoping to return to Europe to visit the site of each of his four WWII jumps to film his thoughts and memories. Major Boswell never thought of himself as a hero and would often say: “those who didn’t come home are the real heroes.”
Funeral and memorial services are pending. For more information, please call Kim Brandon at 719-330-9380
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