Desperate for new pilots in the South Pacific, in August 1943 the First Marine Wing appointed the unconventional fighter ace Major Greg ‘Pappy’ Boyington to pull together a newly formed squadron from a mix of experienced combat veterans and untested novice pilots. The Marine Corps gave him just four weeks to turn this motley group into a fighting force ready for combat. Boyington succeeded beyond all expectations and the rest is history. Equipped with the Chance Vought F4U Corsair, they called themselves ‘The Black Sheep’, and under Boyington’s leadership, saw action at Guadalcanal, Munda, the northern Solomons, Vella Lavella, Bouganville, and Tokokina Kahili, and were the first to lead fighter sweeps over the major Japanese base of Rabaul. In a period of just eighty-four days Boyington’s pilots recorded 273 Japanese aircraft destroyed or damaged, 97 confirmed air victories producing eight fighter Aces, sank several ships, destroyed many ground installations and numerous other victories. With typical mastery, Robert Taylor has brought to life an encounter over Rabaul in late December 1943, paying tribute to one of the US Marine Corps‘ most famous fighter squadrons, and its outstanding leader. With the Japanese airbase at Rabaul visible in the distance, ‘Pappy’ Boyington and his fellow pilots of VMF-214 tear into a large formation of Japanese Zekes and a series of deadly dogfights have started, one Zeke already fallen victim to their guns.
For their outstanding contribution to the war in the South Pacific, the ‘Black Sheep’ were awarded one of only two Presidential Unit Citations accorded to Marine Corps squadrons during the war in the Pacific.
Greg ‘Pappy’ Boyington lived in Costa Mesa, California and used to drink at the Snug Harbor bar, later in life. Nobody ever let him buy a drink, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing for Pappy. However, he was a genuine hero and one of those people who made it happen. The police used to drive him home after he’d had enough and see that he got in safely. Who wouldn’t?
As a kid I was a WW2 buff, especially warbirds. P51s and F4Us my faves. It was high school times when the TV show Blacksheep came out. I was in heaven. Finally saw real life warbirds at airshows about the same time and the hook was officially and permanently set.
Poured through Pappy’s autobiography, and was somewhat saddened as I learned of the harsh realities of my hero’s life.
Probably helped to teach me that nobody’s perfect, we all have demons, and what one sees on TV is most times bullshit.
+1 on LL. Pappy is an interesting read.
Bought his book from him at an airshow. Not at all pretentious. The few “real deal” people I’ve met seem the same – no need to put on “airs”.
Grew up on WW2 exploits. Blacksheep Squadron was always high on my list of heros. Later in life had the honor to be the Flight Surgeon for that squadron (’79) and fulfilled a boyhood dream of flying with the aviators of that squadron. The planes were the A4 at that time. My period was brief as I had and took the opportunity to be the SMO of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and fulfilled another dream of duty on a US ship of war.
I had the honor of meeting Pappy one year down at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, CA.
He was quite a character!
LL/CP- Yep, they did take care of him, and it did kill him in the long run. He was one of those who didn’t handle either peace or adulation well, according to what I read.
Walter- Well said!
WSF- I never had the honor of meeting him, but I did devour his book!
Merly- That is fantastic! Thanks for your service!
Thank you and thank you for YOUR service.
It is so cool to read this stuff.
When the Air and Space Museum was restoring the F4U now on display at Udvar-Hazy Boyington “dropped in” on the restorers at Silver Hill. To say they were excited is putting it mildly.
If you look into the wheel-well on the … um? One of the wells has Pappy’s autograph. Ya, not an authentic “restoration” but when a MOH winner asks “May I sign that?” you do NOT say no.
Meryl- Thanks.
Ed- That’s why I like doing these! 🙂
Stretch- LOL, great story!
I got to meet and shake hands with Pappy at an air show in Florida.
I also got to meet Robert Conrad at the same time