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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington ~ 9 June 2008
Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World | StarCMC and Diesel 10

Posted on 06/08/2008 5:14:54 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!
 
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!
 
 
~ Hall of Heroes ~

Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington

ArmyPatch small   NavySeal small   Air Force Seal   Marines Seal small   Coast Guard Seal small (better)

"Months of preparation, one of those few opportunities, and the judgement of a split second are what makes some pilots an ace, while others think back on what they could have done."

    Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, USMC

     

"Pappy" was born in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho on December 4, 1912 and grew up in Tacoma, Washington. In his early school years he became recognized for his aggressiveness and skill in sports and became intercollegiate wrestling champion while attending college in Washington. His interest in flying and competitive spirit caused him to join the Marine Corps where he became a flight instructor. His desire to fly combat and need to pay off some old debts led him to volunteer for the "Flying Tigers" AVG group in China where the pilots were promised $675 a month plus $500 for every enemy plane they downed. Fighting bugs, scorpions, injuries, P-40 engine problems, bad weather and general Chenault's incompetent staff as well as the Japanese, Boyington claimed to have shot down six Japanese fighters, which would have made him one of the first American aces of the war. From AVG records, which were loosely kept, the most kills that can be confirmed is 3.5. He maintained until his death in 1988 that he did, in fact, have six kills, and the Marine Corps officially credits him with those kills.

He returned to the United States following the disbanding of AVG. When the United States entered the war, he rejoined the Marine Corps in early 1942 and was assigned to the Solomon Islands in the Pacific, and also served in the Bougainville campaign.

Colonel Boyington led one of the most successful squadrons in all of World War II. During his combat career with the Flying Tigers, and the Black Sheep Squadron, he successfully shot down 28 Japanese aircraft. VMF-214, the Black Sheep Squadron, flying the F4U Corsair, shot down 94 enemy fighters and had a total of 203 enemy aircraft either destroyed, probably destroyed, or damaged in only 12 weeks of combat.

The constant stress of the tropical climate and combat took its toll however, and suffering from exhaustion and skin disease Boyington flew his last combat mission on 3 January 1944 during a mission in which he and his wingman,  George Ashmun, attacked a flight of 10 Japanese Zero's.  After shooting 3 down, the Marine pilots were attacked by 20 more zeros from above. Boyington managed to down another zero trying to defend his wingman but Ashmun crashed and "Pappy" bailed out of his burning F4U with just inches to spare. Four Zeros strafed Boyington in the water for almost 20 minutes before a Japanese submarine picked him up.  He was subsequently captured and spent the duration of World War II (over 20 months) as a prisoner of war in Japanese prison camps.

The Black Sheep scoured the skies seeking vengeance for their fallen leader, strafing barges and land targets and checking out any rumors about downed airmen sighted at sea. Nothing turned up, however, and on January 6, the Black Sheep carried out their final mission as a unit. In two six-week combat tours, VMF-214 accumulated a stellar squadron record of 1,776 missions and 168 planes destroyed or damaged, earning eight pilots ace status and the squadron a Presidential Unit Citation.

A few days after the cease fire in 1945 some of his POW mates painted "PAPPY BOYINGTON HERE!" on top of the little tin shack that they were living in. Boyington was rediscovered and in a few days on his way back to the states. Even after enduring near starvation, beatings and dysentary at the hands of his captors he gave the Japanese credit for keeping him sober for 20 months.

Life in the states was not always easy for him as the press frequently criticized him for his excess drinking-but press writers never had to fly 7 tons of metal, fuel and explosives at 400 mph with people shooting real bullets at them and then have to write letters to the families of the pilots who would not return home by the dim light of a kerosene lantern. When asked how he accomplished putting together such a good fighting squadron in a short time he commented that he was just a good coach. "My BlackSheep taught me that you get along fine with the American boy if you lead him and show him and do not try to order him or drive him". Something that corporate CEO's and bureaucrats should take to heart. When asked how he felt about being a hero he said " Just name a hero and I'll prove he's a bum".

At the end of the war in August of 1945, after Boyington's release, he was presented the Medal of Honor by President Truman. The MOH had been awarded to him by President Roosevelt while he was listed as MIA. He was promoted to Colonel upon his retirement from the Corps in 1947.

Pappy died January 11, 1988 and is buried in Section 7-A of Arlington National Cemetery.

Portions by: Bruce "BBGunn" Bowen

Click here for a brief history of VMF-214
 

 


Pappy briefs his flock before a fighter sweep over Rabaul
Source: Marine Corps
Link to the Pappy page where I found this info.

More here.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Squadron 214.

Place and date: Central Solomon's area, from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944.

Entered service at: Washington.

Born: 4 December 1912, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.

Other Navy award: Navy Cross.

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism and valiant devotion to duty as commanding officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Central Solomon's area from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944. Consistently outnumbered throughout successive hazardous flights over heavily defended hostile territory, Maj. Boyington struck at the enemy with daring and courageous persistence, leading his squadron into combat with devastating results to Japanese shipping, shore installations, and aerial forces. Resolute in his efforts to inflict crippling damage on the enemy, Maj. Boyington led a formation of 24 fighters over Kahili on 17 October and, persistently circling the airdrome where 60 hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down 20 enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship. A superb airman and determined fighter against overwhelming odds, Maj. Boyington personally destroyed 26 of the many Japanese planes shot down by his squadron and, by his forceful leadership, developed the combat readiness in his command which was a distinctive factor in the Allied aerial achievements in this vitally strategic area.  



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; freepercanteen; military; troopsupport
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To: AZamericonnie

DC moves to PHX late tomorrow morning to begin life there. At first with her brother and S-I-L and then eventually her own apt.


81 posted on 06/08/2008 7:25:36 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: ConorMacNessa

I fare well, thank ye!
I did alot of chores around the castle!
Re-stocked the larder from yon grocery store and did the laundry too.
‘Tis what I get for giving the servants a day off!
*wink*


82 posted on 06/08/2008 7:26:18 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

as always... Hope all is well with you... sad to see Jim McKay Died he was from philly!


83 posted on 06/08/2008 7:26:28 PM PDT by philly-d-kidder (Contractor From Arifjan Kuwait where the Weather is over a 120 F and we don't sweat it!!)
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To: MEG33; mystery-ak; mike1sg

Very cool ceremony! Congratulations, Mike. We’re all proud
of you!


84 posted on 06/08/2008 7:26:53 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: BIGLOOK

Aloha, Hawaii....any little people this weekend? Are you having a nice spring?


85 posted on 06/08/2008 7:27:27 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC

Cool thread, galz! Loved that TV show! :D

He was an original character!


86 posted on 06/08/2008 7:27:41 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: mainelydawn

I will go and check it.
I was trying to carch you to take you out to dinner!
*sigh*
I went to Wally-world insteand and spent too much money!
LOL


87 posted on 06/08/2008 7:28:10 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: LUV W

Indeed! I asked Mystery if I could bring it here..I love it.


88 posted on 06/08/2008 7:28:43 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)
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To: philly-d-kidder

All is well, thank you.
Spring has finally arrived and it is just beautiful here in Maine!


89 posted on 06/08/2008 7:29:17 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
Faring well here - spent the day as coachman to the family - movies, errands, dropping off lunch to my daughter at work, pickup wife at work, etc.


90 posted on 06/08/2008 7:29:41 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Peregrine, patron saint of cancer patients, pray for us.)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

You spendin too much was clearly my fault so all must be forgivin.LOL
I looked for ya as soon as I got home now I gotta shower,etc. I spose I’ll be sweatin for the oldies with ya tomorrow.
Tammy said it was brutal in there tonite. Yay! (not)


91 posted on 06/08/2008 7:35:02 PM PDT by mainelydawn (laughter is the best medicine)
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To: MEG33

Thanks for doing that for them. It deserves to be known by all!


92 posted on 06/08/2008 7:38:27 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: mainelydawn

I gotta go shower too..
I did alot of yard work and stuff today.
It’s gonna be hot on the 2nd floor there tomorrow.
*groan*


93 posted on 06/08/2008 7:39:34 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: ConorMacNessa

God protect all the ones who are missing till they are
returned to us and to their families!


94 posted on 06/08/2008 7:40:22 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: LUV W

I thought so, (((LUV))).


95 posted on 06/08/2008 7:41:13 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)
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To: LUV W

Mine!


96 posted on 06/08/2008 7:42:04 PM PDT by PROCON (No more politics, I promise!)
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To: LUV W

Mine!


97 posted on 06/08/2008 7:42:09 PM PDT by PROCON (No more politics, I promise!)
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To: LUV W

Mine!


98 posted on 06/08/2008 7:42:16 PM PDT by PROCON (No more politics, I promise!)
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To: LUV W

Mine!


99 posted on 06/08/2008 7:42:20 PM PDT by PROCON (No more politics, I promise!)
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To: LUV W

Mine!


100 posted on 06/08/2008 7:42:24 PM PDT by PROCON (No more politics, I promise!)
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