Lieutenant General William G. “Jerry” Boykin, Army Ret., will be joining the people of Salem for the 2013 4th of July Parade.
Boykin’s military career spans over four decades. He started in the Army, commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, and ultimately was the Commander of the U.S. Army Special Forces. In 1993 Boykin was in command of the Delta Force Team during the Battle of Mogadishu. The story of Boykin’s clash with Osman Atto was told in the film, “Black Hawk Down.”
The general also served six years in intelligence, including the National Security Policy Coordinating Committee for Terrorism and the Central Intelligence Agency.
Since his retirement Boykin has authored three books, including his memoir, “Never Surrender: A Soldier’s Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom,” which was released in 2008. Boykin is now an ordained minister and founder of Kingdom’s Warriors, a non-profit Christian ministry which seeks to make Christian’s bolder in their faith.
It is in this capacity that he will be attending the 4th of July Parade. Upon the request of Salem resident Frank DeVenuto, U.S. Navy, Ret., Boykin will participate in several events surrounding the festivities. Tentatively on his schedule are breakfast with area religious leaders, a book signing and a public speech.