Gregory "Pappy" Boyington

Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. He was a United States Marine Corps aviator who became one of the most famous American fighter aces of World War II. As the commander of the legendary VMF-214 "Black Sheep Squadron," he achieved 28 aerial victories, a record that led to him being awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. His flamboyant personality and postwar struggles were later dramatized in the popular television series Baa Baa Black Sheep.

Early life and education

Born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Boyington was raised in St. Maries, Idaho and Tacoma, Washington. He developed an early interest in aviation and engineering, which led him to attend the University of Washington in Seattle. At the university, he was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and a standout wrestler, graduating in 1934 with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. He briefly worked for Boeing in Seattle before accepting a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1935.

Military career

After completing flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, Boyington was designated a Naval Aviator in 1937. He served as a flight instructor at Naval Air Station Miami and later with Marine Aircraft Group 1 in San Diego, California. Frustrated by the slow pace of promotion and seeking combat experience, he resigned his commission in 1941 to join the American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers, in Burma. Flying the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk under contract with the Republic of China Air Force, he claimed several aerial victories against Imperial Japanese Army Air Service aircraft before the unit was disbanded in mid-1942.

World War II service

Boyington returned to the United States Marine Corps in 1942 and was eventually given command of a newly formed squadron, VMF-214, in August 1943. Dubbed the "Black Sheep," the squadron was composed largely of replacement pilots and saw intense combat in the Solomon Islands campaign. Based initially at Espiritu Santo and later at Munda Airfield on New Georgia, Boyington led his pilots against formidable Japanese forces from Rabaul. During a fierce aerial battle over Rabaul on January 3, 1944, after increasing his victory tally to 28, his Vought F4U Corsair was shot down. He was captured by a Japanese submarine and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war, enduring harsh conditions at Ōfuna and Ōmori prisoner camps.

Postwar life and legacy

Following his liberation in August 1945, Boyington was received as a national hero. He was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman in a ceremony at the White House in October 1945. His postwar life was marked by personal struggles, including battles with alcoholism and multiple divorces, which he candidly described in his 1958 autobiography, Baa Baa Black Sheep. The book inspired the 1970s television series Baa Baa Black Sheep, starring Robert Conrad, which brought his wartime exploits to a new generation. Boyington worked in various business ventures and made public appearances until his death from cancer in Fresno, California in 1988. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Awards and decorations

Boyington's military honors are headlined by the United States' two highest awards for valor. His Medal of Honor citation credits his "valiant and daring combat leadership" and "heroic achievements" from September 12, 1943, to January 3, 1944. He also received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in aerial combat. His other decorations include the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver and two bronze service stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Prisoner of War Medal. The Republic of China awarded him the Order of the Cloud and Banner for his service with the Flying Tigers.

Category:United States Marine Corps officers Category:American military personnel of World War II Category:Recipients of the Medal of Honor Category:American prisoners of war