Ernest Boisvert

Ernest Boisvert was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a member of the 4th Infantry Division, including a tour in Vietnam.

On May 22, 1967, Boisvert’s unit was hit in the early morning by what was described as a NVA Battalion. During the battle Boisvert’s Platoon Leader, Lt. Harold Ford, was surveying the emplacement to check on the section of the perimeter his platoon was defending, when an RPG was fired at his position. The blast killed Lt. Ford immediately, and Boisvert, who was his radio telephone operator (RTO), was hit with shrapnel on the right side of his face.

Along with the Purple Heart, SP5 Boisvert was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and more.

U.S. Army Specialist 5th Class (SP5) Ernest Boisvert represented his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Rhode Island’s honoree during the 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission.