There may also have been two different Solomon Island groups. I read many descriptions of Guadalcanal that pointed out its shortcomings as an island paradise. “Arid” was not typically mentioned as a characteristic.
No, it’s the same Pappy Boyington.
The one played by Robert Conrad on TV had A LOT of embellishment, and the terrain/climate of the island depicted in the show was due to it being filmed in arid California, not the South Pacific!
And Boyington being shot down later and captured just was never depicted in the TV show as the show concentrated on his exploits before that point.
No, thats Pappy. Its funny, the real Boyington looks more like Dana Eclar, who was in the TV series than Robert Conrad—who played Boyington.