A Brief History
On January 3, 1944, the top American air combat ace, Pappy Boyington, was shot down.
Digging Deeper
Digging deeper, we find Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, later made famous for his exploits leading “The Black Sheep” squadron flying his F4U Corsair against the Japanese in the Pacific theater in World War II.
Commanding fighter squadron VMF 214, Pappy and his “Black Sheep” were known for their penchant for getting rowdy and partying with a purpose, hence their appellation. The Corsair fighter plane they flew was vastly superior in many ways to their main opponent, the A6M Zero flown by the Japanese. The Zero could out turn the Corsair, but the Corsair was almost 50 mph faster and was much more rugged.
Although the Japanese frequently outnumbered Boyington and his Marines, the Black Sheep overwhelmingly bested their aerial foes, and Pappy had reached the special number of 26 air-to-air kills that equaled Eddie Rickenbacker’s total from World War I. At that time, this made Pappy the top American ace in any U.S. military branch.
Unfortunately for Pappy, the Zero was still a fearsome opponent. Armed with two .30 caliber machine guns and two rapid firing 20mm cannons, the Zero was possibly the most agile fighter of the war and when skillfully flown was quite a handful for the allied pilots. In a huge aerial melee over Rabaul on the same day he got his 26th kill, Pappy was shot down and parachuted safely where he was taken prisoner by the Japanese. Boyington spent the rest of the war as a POW in Japan.
When liberated from Japan at the war’s end, Pappy was sent to Washington, D.C. to receive The Medal of Honor:
MAJOR GREGORY BOYINGTON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO FOURTEEN in action against enemy Japanese forces in Central Solomons Area from September 12, 1943 to January 3, 1944. Consistently outnumbered throughout successive hazardous flights over heavily defended hostile territory, Major 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, Major Boyington led a formation of twenty-four fighters over Kahili on October 17, and, persistently circling the airdrome where sixty hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, our fighters shot down twenty enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship. A superb airman and determined fighter against overwhelming odds, Major 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.
He had also earned the Navy Cross (second highest U.S. award) and a Purple Heart for being wounded. At a party celebrating his safe return, Pappy was photographed and was on the cover of Life magazine, the first time someone on the cover had an alcoholic beverage in their hand! Not flamboyant enough? He also worked as a professional wrestler and referee!
The subject of articles, books and film, Boyington worked as an adviser for the 1970’s television series, Baa Baa Black Sheep, starring William Conrad as Pappy.
Another one of Boyington’s accomplishments was that he was a member of the American Volunteer Group (AVG), better known as The Flying Tigers, flying against the Japanese in China before U.S. forces could be brought to bear.
Pappy Boyington died in 1988 in his sleep, a peaceful end to a wild life. His final rest is at Arlington National Cemetery. Semper fi, Pappy!
Question for students (and subscribers): Do you have a favorite recipient of the Medal of Honor? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by liking us on Facebook and becoming one of our patrons!
Your readership is much appreciated!
Historical Evidence
For more information, please check out the following:
Boyington, Gregory “Pappy”, Eric Martin, et al. Baa Baa Black Sheep: The True Story of the “Bad Boy” Hero of the Pacific Theatre and His Famous Black Sheep Squadron. Tantor Audio, 2019.
Gamble, Bruce. Black Sheep One: The Life of Gregory “Pappy” Boyington. Presidio Press, 2003.
Wukovitz, John F. Black Sheep: The Life of Pappy Boyington. Naval Institute Press, 2013.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="952 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=952">62 Comments
Pappy had a big load on his back. He was won of the best and I think it’s crazy that he was shot down.
Pappy was a truly brave Marine. He was an honorable and skilled fighter pilot.
It’s always great to read stories of war heroes being recognized for their actions. Also, his story goes to show that great leadership makes for a great unit that will succeed.
An amazing story of heroic actions. I am glad to see that he was awarded for his bravery and success!
Pappy was a true hero, its great to hear that he has been awarded for his brave actions.
I’m glad Pappy got recognized for his actions. I also think it’s interesting that he was a wrestler and was on the cover of Life magazine.
When reading this article I thought Pappy was going to die as a prisoner by the Japanese, but it was nice to read a happy ending.
Pappy was a strong, fearless man. I’m glad he was recognized for his efforts.
I’m happy that people like this get their recognition. He deserved it and has gone down in history as a brave and heroic man.
I’m glad Pappy was recognized for his actions, he was a brave and heroic man.
Pappy is the definition of a hero
It is nice when people who deserve to get recognized do.
I never knew that’s one of the meaning behind baa baa Black Sheep! For serving his country he was certainly seen as a war hero and i’m happy to hear he was recognized for all this actions.
Major Boyington was a hero and inspired his squadron “The Black Sheep” to perform well against the Japanese. He definitely deserved the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart.
It is so nice to hear Major Boyington get recognized for his accomplishments. He deserved all of the attention!
I was most intrigued by the fact that he was a professional wrestler. He certainly was a man with a wide range of interests!
Pappy led a very interesting life being the top American air combat ace then being shot down and taken prisoner by the Japanese. It is of the greatest honor to receive a Purple Heart, Navy Cross, and Medal of Honor because of his duty.
I love learning about these “unheard of” heros. Its’ amazing how much the history books left out.
Pappy had quite the life, commanding a fighter squadron, earning a Purple Heart, landing on the cover of Life magazine, and even becoming a professional wrestler.
The purple heart is a very impressive and admirable award. I always look up to and revere anybody who has the ability to achieve this high of an honor.
It is interesting to hear about the lives of those who were our war heroes.
I think it is very interesting to learn of those who did such honorable things for this country. Anyone who fights and sacrifices for this country should always be remembered.
This was very interesting. I have read about Pappy before. He was definitely a courages man.
After hearing he was shot down and captured, I was almost expecting to read that he was later killed by the Japanese, but I’m glad he returned safely home and was able to live on and end his life peacefully. The Japanese were clearly threatened by his successful air defeats.
I have always admired aviation men. The story of pappy just shows the strength of these men through out the war
I have never heard of Pappy before. I enjoy learning about war heroes like him. He earned a Purple Heart which is very honorable as well.
Interesting to learn that he was shot down the same day he made his record 26th kill. Pappy stayed true to his rowdy and partying, “Black Sheep”,ways as he was the first to be photoed for the cover of Life Magazine with an alcoholic beverage in his hand.
No champion can remain at the top for ever. Pappy Boyington as the top American air combat ace was shot down in the war. There’s no always winner on the battlefield. We shouldn’t have too high expectations, so that they could fight with a ordinary heart.
It was so sad that such a hero was shot down in the war, but he is always be remember.
I was happy that he ended up being able to come home. I had thought that the Japanese would have killed him. This is the first time that I am hearing about Pappy. To earn a Purple Heart is a great honor in deed. My grandfather earned one in WWII.
It is great to read that after being captured that he was not killed and was able to get home.
Pappy definitely deserved the Purple Heart and is a true hero and survivor.
It was great to read that after being captured, he was not killed and able to return home.
This was a nice read, hearing that Pappy enjoyed life, made a lot of memories, and was able to return home after the war.
This reading made me happy. Sadly others do not have the same happy ending that Pappy had.
Its great to finally read about a person who overcame the oppsticles of the war, and made it home.
Iv’e never heard of Pappy before. It was really inspiring seeing the someone they overcame with the war going on.
Pappy was never a person I have heard of. I’m glad I read this article.
My grandfather is huge into planes, and he has talked about hime before! A very interesting read. He seemed like he did a little bit of everything during his time alive.
From prohibition to showcasing an alcoholic beverage on the cover, Time was definitely asking for some chaos here.
I never have heard the story of Pappy, but it is stories like these are give you faith and are inspiring!
Another incredible story of a war hero that deserved every honor that he earned. A name to be recognized!
What an amazing story, I’m a bit surprised that the Japanese didn’t kill him though. Thankfully they didn’t.
I remember the show “Baa Baa Black Sheep.” I didn’t realize it was based on real events. What a great story!
I didn’t either until after I read this article.
Pappy was lucky that the Japanese didn’t hunt for him and put a price on his head. I bet the Japanese pilots were afraid of his reputation.
Shocked to see that they didn’t kill him.
I am surprised that this didn’t end with a death sentence.
The Maverick of his day. Amazed that he was allowed to live as a POW.
I’m surprised that he wasn’t killed once he became a POW. With e was during that time, it was like killing them as soon as they were caught. I’m glad that he was able to make it home and continue to live an exciting life.
I am glad that he was able to return home after all that he endured. Another great American was hero from WWII.
I am rather shocked that he was not killed after becoming a POW, and even more surprised that he was able to return home.
I was glad to see that he was able to make it home after being a POW. I think he was a very lucky man to make it out alive.
Considering he made it out alive after being captured and held as a POW by the Japanese, aside from his other feats of aerial dominance, is quite the accomplishment in itself.
He is most definately not a guy I would mess with. Surviving a Japanese POW camp is an impressive feat. It’s interesting to see that (based on this article at least) he did not skip a beat when he got home. I would imagine he had to have had PTSD and struggled with some demons later in life. Even if he didn’t always advertise it.
I am happy he got home but I can not imagine what he was going through mentally after that. I would take a strong person, obviously physically, but more so mentally to overcome such an event.
It takes amazing strength to accomplish and live the life Pappy did. Hopefully, he did not suffer from any PTSD and was able to live his life to the fullest after all he had experienced.
Shocking that he was not killed after becoming a POW and had the ability home to his family just a very interesting article that could have ended many other ways.
Exciting life indeed. I wonder how his life was after he came home?
I am glad that he got recognized for all of his amazing accomplishments!
This is the second war hero I’ve ever seen,Medal of Honor Marine, Pappy Boyington,
Boyington was definitely a hero in the past by ruin many airplane. He was honored by getting Navy Cross.