Lawrence R. Boyll, Sr. (1903-1991), a chaplain in the U.S. Army Air Corps, served a Methodist congregation from 1940 before enlisting in the Armed Services in 1942. He took part in operations in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Iwo Jima, witnessed the Japanese surrender delegation, and was sent to Japan prior to the surrender as one of the first to land at Atsugi Naval Air Base. He served in Tokyo until 1955 and in Hawaii until 1962, after which he retired from active duty.