John Boswell was born in 1924, and grew up on in a farm in Missouri during the Great Depression.

In 1942, he enlisted in the US Navy. Eventually, he became a Field Medical Technician, and was assigned to the US Marine Corps. After participating in the mopping-up operations on Guam and Saipan, he was assigned to the Pioneer Battalion of the Third Marine Division.

He landed on Iwo Jima on February 20, 1945, D+1, and survived 33 days on the island. He served on the lines with his Marines, and in an aid station slightly behind the lines, preparing casualties for evacuation to hospital ships.

He made a career out of the Navy, retiring after 23 years of service.