Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington
Graduate of Lincoln High School, Tacoma, WA
World War II, 1943-1944
Award: Medal of Honor (highest U.S. military award)
“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 60 hostile aircraft were grounded, boldly challenged the Japanese to send up planes. Under his brilliant command, fighters shot down 20 enemy craft in the ensuing action without the loss of a single ship … Major Boyington personally destroyed 26 of the many Japanese planes shot down by his squadron…”
Col. Pappy Boyington is one of those famous Marine warrior heroes who probably could not have existed in a peace-time Marine Corps, yet was indispensable in World War II. Sadly, most people only know of his exploits through the 1970’s TV program “Baa-Baa Black Sheep,” but his life and service were much more intriguing, complicated and glorious. His autobiography, Baa Baa Black Sheep, is an exceptional read which I would highly recommend. He was one of those gifted aviators and leaders who had the knack of falling into a binjo ditch and suffering few, if any, fowl odors. He led an amazing life that we all wish we could have emulated. Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
A true Marine Corps Hero ,but not without controversy. In 2006 the “liberal controlled” student senate of The University of Washington rejected a planned memorial to “Pappy” over concerns that a Military person who shot down enemy planes and killed people was not the right kind of person to represent the school. ” The secretary of the senate stated, ” We don’t believe that a member of the Marine Corps is a good example of the sort of person that the UW wants to produce.” Just an example of a condemnation of the very Hero’s that made their freedom possible. A bunch of spoiled brats!! In all fairness though,I did recently read that they still might go forward with some sort of Memorial. SEMPER FI “Pappy”!! Harry 1371
What the crap do these brats think war is! I blame the parents of these so called spoiled brats. I think every one of them should serve time at a VA hospital! Bill 0331
And… It’s only getting worse!! Paul S.
Right on the money Harry. But keep in mind, most (if not all) of those “students” were born in the early and middle ’80’s, making their parents our generation. Have a friend who worked in Oceanside Ca. (Pendleton) who told me once, “We spend entirely too much money on the DOD!”. Bad mistake at a table with Marines! Told him, “We’re the ones that made it possible for you to sit on your fat ass selling insurance and investments to Marines guarding you!!” Jack Nicholson had it right! Wanna feel good? Watch, “You want me on that wall…” on you tube. Careful, someone might call the police about that crackpot Marine standing on the porch waving his M-16 over his head with one hand screaming, “OOORAH, SEMPER FI MOTHERF******S!!! Oh shit! Gotta run Harry, cops are coming with a swat team. LOL
…AND TOM CRUISE IS A TWIT!!” “You sonofa bitch!” would have gotten any subordinate officer courtmartialed.
Thanx Willard. Right, our generation but, on the other side of the line with Hanoi Jane. I fear it’s only getting worse. Harry 1371
Myself and and another Marine from our recruiting station in Colorado Springs drove “Pappy” and his wife around when he came as the guest speaker at our Marine Corps Ball in I believe 1976/77, we could’ve listened to him speak all night, he really captivated your attention. It was a shear honor.. We then had those big olive drab Plymouth sedans and the trunk was full of his books he sold of Baa Baa Black Sheep, but you know, he never even offered one to us unless of course, we bought it!!!!!!!!!!!
FLY MARINE AIR! OOH-RAH!
Pappy was one of a kind. As a retired Marine I heard the stories of Pappy many times.He did his assigned job well …he kill people. Isn’t that’s what war is about?
I had the honor of meeting Col. Boyington when I was stationed at 29 Palms. To meet one of our Marine Corps legends was truly a very high point of my career.
Ssgt Douglas Barron
1968-1978
Used to watch “Ba-Ba Black Sheep” as a kid and loved it. Greg Boyington is one of my heros.
Cpl G. Goodwin ’87-’91