Wilmington veteran dies during weekend Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Nearly 2 weeks ago, 80 veterans from across the Cape Fear flew to Washington, D.C. as part of the annual Honor Flight program.

But one of the veterans died during the trip.

Joseph Owen Boyles, who lived in Wilmington, was 98 years old and a World War 2 veteran.

He was an Army technical sergeant who served in the Pacific at the end of World War 2.

He was set to be part of the first wave of the invasion of mainland Japan, but that mission never happened.

President Harry Truman ordered two atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing World War 2 to an end.

His daughter Vicki Boyles said he was always proud of his time in the army and cherished the honor and respect shown to him during his final visit to Washington, D.C. with the Honor Flight.

“He was just smiling and he was like ‘wow, look at all these people. They’re really proud of us veterans.’ He was beside himself,” Vicki said. “He was very proud of his American heritage, fighting for the war.”

During that April 26th trip, Boyles visited the World War 2 Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

While visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Boyles died.

It’s a place his daughter said couldn’t have been more fitting.

“Take your last breath at Arlington Cemetery, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I mean, going to heaven, you couldn’t ask for anything more.”

What used to be a small family, just Boyles, his daughter, and granddaughter, has now grown, Vicki said, thanks to the support of the Honor Flight community.

“I have a family now, here in Wilmington. Even though my dad’s gone, I’ve gained a family.”

Boyles’ body is still in Washington because Vicki said there have been some complications trying to bring him home.

She plans to bury her father at a military cemetery in Jacksonville.